Ariad tumbles on Iclusig sales suspension

Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ARIA) fell $1.76 (43%) to $2.20 on Thursday after it temporarily suspended marketing and distribution of leukemia drug Iclusig ponatinib due to the risk of arterial thrombotic events. The move came at FDA's request. Earlier this month, the agency placed a partial clinical hold on all trials of Iclusig due to arterial thrombotic events observed in patients treated with the drug. On a conference call to discuss the news, Ariad said FDA's request to suspend marketing of Iclusig is not based on any new safety issues (see BioCentury, Oct. 14). ...