FDA places REGN475 on hold

FDA placed a clinical hold on pain candidate REGN475/ SAR164877 from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:REGN) and sanofi-aventis Group (Euronext:SAN; NYSE:SNY) after a case of avascular necrosis of a joint was seen in another undisclosed compound from the same anti- nerve growth factor (NGF) class. According to the partners, FDA believes the case provides evidence to suggest a class-effect. The partners' mAb against NGF has completed Phase II testing to treat pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Regeneron was up $0.19 to $33.69 on Monday. ...