Five Depakote Cases Pending Against Abbott Transferred to Southern District of Illinois

CHICAGO - An Illinois federal judge has transferred five Depakote cases pending against Abbott Laboratories Inc. (NYSE: ABT) to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, finding the convenience of the parties and the interests of justice weigh in favor of transfer.

On Feb. 6, Judge John W. Darrah of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois further found Abbott maintained regular, continuous business contacts in the Southern District.

Plaintiffs sued Abbott in multiple state court actions, alleging personal injuries on behalf of children who developed birth defects in utero as a result …