[THE INVESTOR] Hanmi Pharmaceutical was aware of the negative side effects of targeted cancer therapy Olmutinib in August, an opposition lawmaker claimed on Oct. 7.

Rep. Jung Choun-sook of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea revealed a document from Boehringer Ingelheim informing Hanmi of canceling all clinical trials sent on Aug. 23. 




In the statement, Boehringer Ingelheim stated that patients will not be recruited for tests, and that ongoing tests will be halted according to recommendations of the Data Monitoring Committee.

Saying that Hanmi and Boehringer Ingelheim ceased tests in August, Jung accused the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of allowing the Korean company of continuing tests despite the known dangers.

Hanmi, for its part, claimed that the statement does not concern the safety of the tested medication.

The lawmaker added that by accepting Hanmi’s claims that there are no clear link between the side effects the ministry either sided with the company or was given false reports.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)