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University of Toronto Settles Conflict-of-Interest Suit
The University of Toronto reached a settlement with medical researcher Nancy Olivieri and four other researchers in November after a six-year conflict stemming from a research contract of Olivieri's. The terms of the settlement were not fully disclosed, but they include a research leave for Olivieri and the establishment of a committee to make recommendations on changes to the university's policies on dissemination of research and conflict of interest. The settlement puts an end to all outstanding litigation and arbitrations pending between the parties.
The conflict began when Olivieri signed on to do clinical trials of a drug for the pharmaceutical company Apotex. When she discovered that the drug had life-threatening side effects in some of her patients, the company—which had included a no-publishing clause in the contract funding the research—terminated the trials and threatened legal action should she publish her findings. Olivieri and the other researchers said that they were not supported by university administrators, who at that time were discussing a multi-million-dollar donation with the company.
The Canadian Association of University Teachers, which commissioned an inquiry into the case and published a book, The Olivieri Report, based on that inquiry, hailed the settlement as a victory for academic freedom and a vindication of Olivieri.
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