(Reuters) – Avidity Biosciences Inc said on Tuesday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has halted enrolling patients in an early-to-medium trial of its drug to treat a genetic muscle disorder, sending the company’s shares down more than 15%.
The agency placed the partial suspension after a serious adverse event was seen in a patient during the study.
California-based Avidity did not disclose any details about the event, but said it is working closely with the health regulator and trial investigator to assess the cause, and is taking steps to resolve the suspension as quickly as possible.
Nearly 40 participants are currently participating in the drug’s trial, which seeks to treat muscular dystrophy type 1 (MD1) — an inherited type of muscle wasting disorder that affects the muscles in the lower legs, hands and neck.
