On May 16, Roussel Uclaf assigns its U.S. patent rights for RU486 without remuneration to the Population Council. Since this drug will not be licensed or developed in the U.S. by Roussel Uclaf, it no longer will be called RU486, but instead will be referred to by its scientific name, mifepristone. The Population Council plans its next steps of conducting clinical trials on early abortion use, identifying a manufacturer, and winning FDA approval. The Feminist Majority Foundation, in cooperation with the Population Council, announces the establishment of a revolving fund to raise money for mifepristone clinical trials and future anti-progestin research. The Population Council begins clinical trials on mifepristone.
Trials generate interest from large numbers of women.
The Population Council successfully concludes clinical trials for mifepristone at over a dozen sites around the U.S., involving 2100 women. Dr. Faina Rose announces study results showing that mifepristone inhibits the growth of cancer cells. Dr. David Weiner announces that mifepristone effectively prevents activation of the GRII receptor. By blocking this glucocorticoid receptor, mifepristone may prevent the cell infection and subsequent replication of the HIV virus. The FDA Advisory Committee on Reproductive Health Drugs holds mifepristone safety and efficacy public hearings.