Photo: AFP    

A clinical trial of a new drug in France has left one person brain-dead and another five people in hospital, the health minister says, the BBC reports.

The oral trial was being conducted by a private laboratory in the north-western city of Rennes, Marisol Touraine said.

The trial has been suspended and the firm is recalling the volunteers. It is unclear how many people are involved.

Media reports that the drug is a cannabis-based painkiller have been denied by the health ministry.

The Paris prosecutor’s office said an investigation had been opened.