La. Federal Jury Issues Defense Verdict in Bellwether Taxotere Case

NEW ORLEANS — A Louisiana federal jury has handed down a defense verdict in the first federal Taxotere permanent hair loss case to go to trial, finding that the breast cancer drug is not unreasonably dangerous due to inadequate warning or instruction.

The verdict was issued on Sept. 26. Judge Jane Triche Milazzo of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana presided over the bellwether trial, which began on Sept. 16.

Plaintiff Barbara Earnest alleged defendants Sanofi S.A. and Aventis Pharma S.A.failed to warn that Taxotere can cause permanent hair loss (alopecia). The Food and Drug …