New Judge Appointed to Preside Over Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro Multidistrict Litigation

Transition of Leadership in GLP-1 RA Drug Lawsuits Following Judge Pratter’s Passing

The rapidly growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) involving Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and other glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) drugs has been reassigned to a new U.S. District Judge following the unexpected passing of Judge Gene E. K. Pratter. The lawsuits allege that manufacturers failed to adequately warn users and the medical community about the risk of developing Gastroparesis, a severe and debilitating form of stomach paralysis, associated with the use of these widespread diabetes and weight loss medications.

5 Key Points

• In February 2024, Judge Gene E. K. Pratter was appointed to oversee the coordinated pretrial proceedings for the Ozempic MDL lawsuits, which are expected to include thousands of claims.
• Judge Pratter passed away on May 17, 2024, at the age of 75, due to complications associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• The litigation targets manufacturers of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Trulicity, and other GLP-1 RA drugs, which have become widely prescribed in the U.S. for their weight loss benefits.
• On June 6, 2024, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) issued an order reassigning the litigation to District Judge Karen S. Marston.
• Judge Marston has scheduled a status conference for June 10 to meet with lawyers involved in the lawsuits and discuss the future course of the litigation.

The Rise of GLP-1 RA Drugs and Associated Health Concerns

GLP-1 RA drugs have gained significant popularity in recent years, with Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro becoming household names due to their effectiveness in promoting weight loss. These medications have been prescribed to an estimated 2% of the U.S. population for both diabetes treatment and weight management. However, as the number of users has grown, so have concerns about the long-term risks associated with these drugs, particularly the development of Gastroparesis.

Gastroparesis is a condition characterized by stomach paralysis, which can cause severe and chronic symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, and abdominal pain. Lawsuits allege that drug manufacturers failed to provide adequate warnings about this risk, leaving users and the medical community unaware of the potential long-term consequences of taking these medications.

The Future of the Ozempic MDL Under Judge Marston’s Leadership

With Judge Karen S. Marston’s appointment to oversee the Ozempic MDL, the litigation is expected to move forward with renewed momentum. Judge Marston will likely continue the work initiated by Judge Pratter in establishing a bellwether program, which involves selecting representative cases to undergo case-specific fact discovery and be prepared for early trial dates. These bellwether trials gauge how juries may respond to the evidence and testimony presented, and their outcomes can significantly influence the trajectory of the litigation.

As the number of lawsuits grows, the Ozempic MDL can become a significant mass tort. Judge Marston will play a crucial role in managing the pretrial proceedings, facilitating the exchange of information between plaintiffs and defendants, and encouraging potential settlements. Judge Marston may remand individual cases back to their original U.S. District Courts for trial if settlements cannot be reached.

The Importance of Monitoring Drug Safety and Providing Adequate Warnings

The Ozempic MDL highlights the critical importance of continuously monitoring the safety of prescription medications and ensuring that manufacturers provide comprehensive and timely warnings about potential risks. As new drugs enter the market and gain widespread use, both users and the medical community need to be fully informed about the possible long-term consequences associated with these medications.

The outcome of the Ozempic MDL may have significant implications for the future of GLP-1 RA drugs and how manufacturers approach drug safety and warning labels. As the litigation progresses under Judge Marston’s leadership, it will be closely watched by those in the legal and medical communities and the millions of individuals prescribed these medications for diabetes treatment and weight loss.