BMS trial sees patient death, analysts say drug mechanism still viable

Bristol Myers Squibb is running a phase 3 study of an LPA1 inhibitor, admilparant, for idiopathic and progressive pulmonary fibrosis. A patient death was reported after the trial was amended to include European sites.

The death involved multi‑organ failure with acute liver injury. The company said several liver‑related events have occurred, most of them mild and transient, and it is not yet known whether the deceased patient was receiving the investigational drug or placebo.

A BMS spokesperson noted that most safety signals resolved without altering treatment and that an independent data monitoring committee has recommended the study continue. The company expects topline results for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by the end of 2026 and for progressive disease early next year.

Analysts have downplayed the incident, arguing that it does not call into question the underlying LPA1 pathway and should have limited impact on the trial’s outlook.