The noose is tightening on Didier Raoult, accused of having conducted potentially fraudulent clinical trials within the IHU Méditerranée Infection.
On Wednesday, the Medicines Agency (ANSM) announced that it had entered the Marseille prosecutor's office and "ordered an inspection within" the institute.
For his part, the microbiologist maintains his innocence this Thursday, claiming on Twitter that "there is no research on the treatment of tuberculosis within the infectious and tropical diseases pole" of the AP-HM on which depends the 'IHU.
Let this be clear: there is no research on the treatment of tuberculosis within the infectious and tropical diseases pole of @ aphm_actu hosted by @ IHU_Marseille.
- Didier Raoult (@raoult_didier) October 28, 2021
This inspection stems from revelations from Mediapart, on October 22, according to which the IHU has been carrying out since 2017 "a wild experiment against tuberculosis, causing in several patients, including a minor, serious complications".
According to the news site, this experiment used a combination of four drugs whose joint effectiveness had never been evaluated and was being carried out, despite the refusal of the ANSM.
However, the authority must give its approval to research involving human beings, in particular clinical trials of drugs.
"Kidney complications"
After starting a rapid internal investigation, the AP-HM indicated that a "research protocol on this combination of antibiotics had indeed been submitted".
This protocol was filed in August 2019, but was withdrawn a month later "given the reservations expressed by the ANSM", according to a spokesperson for the AP-HM.
However, despite these reservations, the IHU Mediterranean "continued to deliver these treatments", she explained.
A trial with potentially far-reaching consequences: "some" of the patients treated for tuberculosis with the combination of antibiotics were "with kidney complications, at least one of which required surgery," wrote the AP-HM.
Read alsoScandal of illegal clinical trials at the IHU in Marseille: what risk Didier Raoult?
Marseille hospitals must continue their investigations, in conjunction with the competent supervisory authorities, in particular the ANSM.
According to the public health code, the fact of "carrying out or having carried out research involving the human person" without authorization is punishable by one year of imprisonment and a fine of 15,000 euros.
At this stage, Didier Raoult is supposed to remain at the head of the IHU for several more months, until the procedure to appoint his replacement succeeds.
But his image and that of the establishment he manages are once again in danger of suffering.
The proof: "Some founding members would consider withdrawing their label and their funding from the foundation", indicated La Provence at the beginning of September.