Federal Judge Grants Novartis Judgment on Zometa Injury Claims

NASHVILLE - A Tennessee federal judge has granted Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. summary judgment on claims that its cancer drug Zometa caused a man to contract osteonecrosis of the jaw. In re Aredia and Zometa Products Liability Litigation, No. 06-1760 (M.D. Tenn.).

Judge Todd J. Campbell of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee ruled that the plaintiff failed to meet her burden of establishing specific causation.

Illinois resident Patricia Melau sued Novartis on behalf of her late husband who allegedly developed osteonecrosis of the jaw as a result of being treated with Zometa. She alleged causes of …