A drug trial taught me that being a No. 1 pick is no guarantee of success
I found a companion of sorts in 2019's great hope of the Arizona Cardinals
“It was amazing. It was a great feeling, a feeling that can only come once in your lifetime, so I’m definitely taking in this moment. I’m very appreciative.” — Ji’Ayir Brown, San Francisco 49ers safety, reacting to being drafted in the third round as the 87th pick in the 2023 NFL draft
Preseason football games begin tomorrow. Watching athletes suit up and take the field with their coaches gives me a rush of excitement; it makes the dog days of summer pass quickly. And every year, it’s the NFL draft that kicks things off. The best college players hope they’re selected to play in the National Football League, experiencing moments of excitement and uncertainty. It’s thrilling to watch the selections be announced.
Lately, I’ve been hypocalcemic (with low calcium numbers), which has made me lethargic. Since I’m being treated with Yorvipath (palopegteriparatide) for my hypoparathyroidism, I shouldn’t have drops in my calcium. I’m concerned. With no energy, I’ve been watching sports as NFL training camps were getting underway. At one point, I saw the camera pan to defensive lineman Nick Bosa, the second overall pick in the 2019 draft and the first choice of my favorite team, the San Francisco 49ers.
As my fingers and feet went numb, I thought about the start of my Yorvipath journey and the 2019 NFL draft, which coincided.
The season of my clinical trial
In April 2019, I visited Mishaela Rubin, a doctor at Columbia University Medical Center. I was vying to be “drafted” into a phase 2 clinical trial for TransCon parathyroid hormone (PTH) replacement therapy, which became Yorvipath after its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last year. I drew parallels between the athletes preparing for their life-changing draft day and my own. Like the athletes, I was hoping to be selected.
The football players were dressed in their best about the time I sat with Rubin, reviewing a list of trial criteria. Tension was high, the excitement exhilarating. I qualified to participate in the trial, a cutting-edge parathyroid treatment that offered hope, but I wasn’t picked that day.
The 49ers started the 2019-2020 season undefeated. As they geared up for Week 9 with an 8-0 record, I received a life-changing call. I had been selected for the clinical trial — in fact, drafted in the first round, the first pick, prompting overwhelming emotions including disbelief, joy, and curiosity about the unknown road ahead.
Being Patient No. 1 was not just a title, but a responsibility. It meant being the first person to embark on this new medication, paving the way for others and carrying the weight of their hopes and expectations.
I felt connected to that year’s NFL draft class. I was filled with optimism, and I imagine they were, too. We probably shared similar emotions, hope for a winning season, and trust in the process. We all share in the human experience of striving for success, I suppose.
Being selected first in a draft is a remarkable accomplishment. However, being No. 1 doesn’t guarantee you’ll have a winning season. Life, like sports, is unpredictable, and success isn’t guaranteed. My experience as Patient No. 1 in the clinical trial is a testament to this unpredictability and power of perseverance.
Similar paths with my fellow No. 1
The Arizona Cardinals selected quarterback Kyler Murray as the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. In college, he won the Heisman Trophy in 2018. He was named Offensive Rookie of the Year for his outstanding performance. But Murray was injured in 2022, ending that season. Still, like me, he remains hopeful.
In comparison, Tom Brady, drafted 199th overall by the New England Patriots, has the most wins of any quarterback. Meanwhile, Brock Purdy, current quarterback for the 49ers, was the last pick in the 2022 draft, earning the title “Mr Irrelevant.” Both went to Super Bowls. Draft order doesn’t guarantee triumph, just as clinical trial participation doesn’t guarantee a healthier life.
I began the trial feeling optimistic, as if I’d already won by being selected. But midseason, emotions change. Being on TransCon PTH at first made me feel invincible. I felt as if I were drinking a Mountain Dew filled with energy. Players often have similar feelings as they gear up for the second half of the season, knowing that the road ahead is filled with challenges and, they hope, victories.
At season’s end, some players felt defeated, as I did in my trial. The medicine didn’t work for me as I’d hoped, though it’s helped many. Some football players wondered if they’d ever play again after losing a big game, and they and I are wondering what’s in store for our future, probably with the same emotions despite different circumstances.
The unpredictability of sports is what keeps us on the edge of our seats, just as it did in my experience with TransCon. The element of surprise makes the journey exciting.
In the six years since that 2019 draft, Murray and I have faced adversity, injury, and skepticism. I stand at a crossroads, deciding whether to continue on Yorvipath. Murray, meanwhile, hopes for no injuries this season.
This brave butterfly will soar excitedly into football season, spreading wings of hope for a winning season and resilience.
Note: Hypoparathyroidism News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hypoparathyroidism News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hypoparathyroidism.
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