Another obstacle removed in U.S. mifepristone debut

With the legal settlement among a Los Angeles investment group, the person originally charged with U.S. commercialization of mifepristone (RU-486), and the Population Council in New York City, another obstacle falls in the move toward U.S. marketing. Lawsuits were filed by the Giant Group against Joseph Pike, originally slated to handle distribution and marketing, and the nonprofit Population Council, which holds the U.S. patent. Giant withdrew its investment offer when it learned that Pike, a San Diego attorney, was disbarred for forgery in a 1985 North Carolina real estate matter. (See Contraceptive Technology Update, January 1997, p. 11, and April 1997, p. 51, for more on legal action surrounding U.S. efforts.)

While legal action is settling, the search continues for a manufacturer for U.S. distribution of the drug. An initial agreement with the Hungarian pharmaceutical company Gedeon Richter came under dispute, further delaying the U.S. debut. (Check CTU, Aug. 1997, p. 103, for more information on the subject.) t