Bayer wins second Baycol case

Bayer wins second Baycol case

Bayer faces more than 8,000 lawsuit over the drug

The German drugs giant Bayer has won a second court case in the US over its withdrawn anti-cholesterol drug Baycol.

Bayer was cleared from all liabilities in a court case filed by a woman in Jackson, Mississippi.

In a $50,000 lawsuit, the plaintiff, Virgie Hardy, alleged Bayer's drug, which was known as Lipobay in the US, caused her muscle pain and weakness.

But Bayer said she never claimed the drug had given her a potentially lethal muscle and kidney disorder called rhabdomyolysis, which can be caused by Baycol.

Last month, Bayer won a similar court case in Texas, where the plaintiff had demanded $560m in damages.

Lawsuits

Bayer faces a flood of 8,400 lawsuits in the US over its drug.

Baycol was pulled from the market by Bayer in 2001 after it was linked to 100 deaths worldwide.

Shares in the German firm jumped 5% on Friday following the news of the latest court victory.

Investors hope liabilities from the drug's recall may not be as large as initially thought.

The next Lipobay court case is scheduled for 21 April, again in Texas.

The German firm has already settled with some 500 patients out of court.