Botched French drug trial leaves 1 brain dead, 5 in hospital

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PARIS (AP) — Rennes chief neurosurgeon Gilles Edan says three of the 6 men hospitalized over a botched clinical drug trial in France could have "irreversible" brain damage.

Speaking Friday at a press conference in the western French city of Rennes, Edan said one man is brain dead and four others have "neurological problems" — of which three could have permanent damage. Another man is being kept in the hospital, but is in a less critical condition.

Health Minister Marisol Touraine says all the men were healthy before they volunteered for the drug trial. She urged calm and said no drug currently on the market was implicated in the failed trial.