N.Y. Judge Reduces Zometa Punitive Damages Award to $900,000; Denies Motion for New Trial

NEW YORK — A New York federal judge has reduced a punitive damages award rendered in a Zometa case to $900,000, but denied Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.’s (NYSE: NVS) motion for a new trial, finding the evidence supports the jury’s verdict.

On Oct. 9, Judge Arthur D. Spatt found the plaintiff presented sufficient evidence demonstrating that Novartis was aware of Zometa's side effects but ignored this issue and interfered with investigations attempting to warn of this association.

In August 2001, Barbara Davids was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her primary care physician prescribed weekly Fosamax to treat her osteoporosis. Davids' cancer metastasized …