MADISON, N.J., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wyeth announced today that the case of Jennie Nelson v. Wyeth, in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas will continue to the second, or liability, phase following today’s jury decision in the first phase of the trial. During the first part of this bifurcated (two-phase) trial, the jury found that the plaintiff’s use of hormone therapy was a cause of her breast cancer and determined compensatory damages of $1.5 million. The next phase will determine if Wyeth is liable and is required to pay those damages. If the jury finds Wyeth is liable, punitive damages may also be considered in the second phase.
The Company is disappointed by the jury’s decision and respectfully disagrees that there is any scientific basis to support the jury’s finding of a causal link between Wyeth’s hormone therapies and the plaintiff’s breast cancer.
In the second phase of the trial, which will begin on October 12, Wyeth intends to show that the Company acted reasonably by performing and supporting studies that examined the known and potential benefits and risks of hormone therapy and in keeping the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, physicians and patients informed of those risks and benefits. The FDA noted in 1995 that hormone therapies are the most extensively researched medicines in the U.S.
The trial began on September 13, 2006 before The Honorable Norman Ackerman. The plaintiff alleged that she developed breast cancer as a result of the use of PREMPRO(TM), a product marketed by Wyeth.
About Wyeth
Wyeth is one of the world’s largest research-driven pharmaceutical and health care products companies. It is a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biotechnology products and nonprescription medicines that improve the quality of life for people worldwide. The Company’s major divisions include Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare, and Fort Dodge Animal Health.
The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on current expectations of future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include risks associated with the inherent uncertainty of the timing and success of product research, development and commercialization (including with respect to our pipeline products), drug pricing and payment for our products by government and third- party payors, manufacturing, data generated on the safety and efficacy of our products, economic conditions including interest and currency exchange rate fluctuations, changes in generally accepted accounting principles, the impact of competitive or generic products, trade buying patterns, global business operations, product liability and other types of litigation, the impact of legislation and regulatory compliance, intellectual property rights, strategic relationships with third parties, environmental liabilities, and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual report on Form 10-K, particularly the discussion under the caption “Item 1A, Risk Factors.” We assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Wyeth
CONTACT: Media Contacts: Christopher Garland, +1-973-660-5181, or DouglasPetkus, +1-973-660-5218, or Investor Contact: Justin Victoria,+1-973-660-5340, all of Wyeth
Web site: http://www.wyeth.com/
