Stay of Zoloft Birth Defect Case Pending Transfer to MDL Would Prejudice Pfizer, Mo. Federal Judge Rules

ST. LOUIS — A Missouri federal judge has refused to stay a Zoloft birth defect case pending possible transfer to the multidistrict litigation proceedings in Pennsylvania, finding a stay would result in an indefinite delay that would prejudice the defendant drug maker.

On June 2, Senior Judge E. Richard Webber of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri further held that transfer of the case to the MDL will not resolve the question of whether the court has personal jurisdiction over Pfizer Inc.

Jennifer and Jess Keeley sued Pfizer Inc. in the St. Louis Circuit Court, alleging …