Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc. has moved to dismiss some of about 450 lawsuits filed over its Mirena intrauterine contraceptive device on ground that the cases exceed the applicable statute of limitations.
The motion, filed on Wednesday, came as U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel, who is overseeing the litigation in White Plains, N.Y., gave both sides until June 3 to select a dozen cases each that would serve as an "initial disposition pool" with the goal of going to trial.
The next hearing is scheduled for May 14.
Litigation over the Mirena IUD was coordinated before Seibel last year. The suits allege that the Mirena, which a doctor implants into a woman during an office visit, can dislodge, tearing the uterine wall and requiring surgical removal.
Bayer has insisted that the device's packaging labels, which warn of risks of uterine perforation, are adequate. To read the entire article click here.