Abbott Moves for Judgment Following Close of Evidence in Ill. Federal Depakote Birth Defect Trial

CHICAGO — Abbott Laboratories Inc. has moved for judgment as a matter of law following the close of evidence in an Illinois federal Depakote birth defect trial, arguing that it adequately warned the plaintiff’s prescribing doctors of the risk of spina bifida posed by the anti-seizure drug.

The trial, presided over by Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, began on May 19 and closing arguments were made on June 7.

Christina Raquel filed the action on behalf of her minor child, E.G., alleging her ingestion of Depakote ER (valproic acid) in …