At Roche, palovarotene was evaluated in more than 800 individuals including healthy volunteers and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

[12][13] A 2016 study demonstrated that palovarotene also inhibited spontaneous heterotopic ossification, maintained limb mobility and functioning, and restored skeletal growth in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva mouse models.

[22] In January 2023, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended the refusal of the marketing authorization for palovarotene for the treatment of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.

[24] Clementia submitted a new drug application for palovarotene for the treatment of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva after observing positive phase II results.

[25] In December 2019, Ipsen issued a partial clinical hold for people under the age of 14, due to reports of early fusion of growth plates.