High Court Refuses to Hear Challenge of Multi-Million Zometa Verdict

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to consider Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.'s challenge of a multi-million jury verdict issued in favor of a woman who alleged that her osteonecrosis of the jaw was caused by the cancer drug Zometa. Stevens v. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., No. DA 10-0029 (Mont. Sup. Ct.).

The high court denied the drug maker's petition for certiorari on May 31. The verdict was upheld in December 2010 by the Montana Supreme Court, which ruled that the statute of limitations was tolled by the class action rule and that the jury was properly asked whether Novartis …