Business and Economy
Japan pharmaceutical company Takeda penalized over diabetes drug, plans to challenge verdict
TOKYO – A U.S. jury ordered Takeda Pharmaceuticals to pay $6 billion in punitive damages over a diabetes drug, but Japan’s biggest drug-maker is challenging the move.
The District Court, Western District Louisiana, on Tuesday also ordered a $3 billion penalty for co-defendant Eli Lilly, as well as $1.5 million in compensatory damages.
The legal fight was over Actos, a drug used to treat diabetes, as causing a patient’s bladder cancer.
Takeda Senior Vice-President Kenneth Greisman said in a statement that Takeda disagrees with the verdict and plans post-trial motions and an appeal.
He said he empathized with the plaintiff but the drug did not cause his cancer.
The drug comes with warnings about serious side effects, including liver problems, broken bones and higher risk of bladder cancer.
