Jury Finds for Novartis on Zometa ONJ Claims

NEW YORK - A New York federal jury has sided with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. in a Zometa injury case, finding that the cancer drug did not cause a multiple myeloma patient to develop osteonecrosis of the jaw. Hogan v. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., No. 06-260 (E.D. N.Y.).

On May 25, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York jury determined that Karlene Hogan failed to proffer sufficient evidence proving that Zometa caused her late husband's jaw disease. The jury deliberated for five hours at the conclusion of the seven-day trial before handing down the verdict.

Judge Brian M. …