Non-Party Depositions Not Needed For Ketek Class Certification, Judge Says

NEW YORK - A New York federal judge has upheld a magistrate judge's order denying without prejudice plaintiffs' request to conduct certain non-party depositions in relation to the certification of a class action brought by a group of employee welfare benefit plans against the maker of Ketek. Sergeants Benevolent Association Health and Welfare Fund, et al. v. Sanofi-Aventis U.S., No. 08-179 (E.D. N.Y.).

Judge Sandra L. Townes of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York affirmed that the depositions, which relate to a pre-approval study of Ketek conducted by the Food and Drug Administration, "are unlikely …