Cel-Sci, inVentiv Health cancer, infectious news

Cel-Sci initiated an arbitration claim against inVentiv's CRO, inVentiv Health Clinical, which Cel-Sci hired to conduct a Phase III trial of the company's Multikine as a first-line treatment of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Cel-Sci is alleging breach of contract and fraud and seeking at least $50 million in damages. The company said it terminated inVentiv "in or about" April and replaced it with two other CROs, Aptiv Solutions Inc. (Reston, Va.) and Ergomed Clinical Research Ltd. (Guilford, U.K.). inVentiv said Cel-Sci's claims are "meritless" and will "vigorously" defend against the allegation (see BioCentury, April 29). ...