The family of Ellen Roche, the Johns Hopkins University asthma study participant who died during a clinical trial, recently announced that a settlement had been reached with the school over Roche's death. Roche, an otherwise healthy 24-year-old lab worker, died on June 2, 2001 after inhaling hexamethonium, a drug known to constrict airways. Soon after inhaling the substance, Roche developed flu-like symptoms and was admitted to the hospital.

Roche's death prompted the federal government to temporarily suspend funding for Johns Hopkins' scientific research projects. While terms of the settlement are confidential, a spokesman for Roche's family was pleased with the resolution. He praised the University for being "communicative from the get-go, and forthcoming with information.