Court: United States District Court, District of New Jersey

Leadership Position: Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee

Result: $25.5 million settlement with one defendant

WBE served on the Indirect Purchaser Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in an antitrust class action filed against Wyeth, among others, involving the antidepressant Effexor XR. Plaintiffs alleged that Wyeth fraudulently obtained a number of method-of-use patents for Effexor XR and engaged in sham litigation against potential generic competitors in an effort to protect the Effexor XR monopoly.  As a result of these actions, generic Effexor XR competition was delayed for more than two years, and consumers and third-party payors paid more for brand and generic Effexor XR than they should have.

On Friday, May 17, 2024, United States District Judge Peter G. Sheridan of the District of New Jersey granted preliminary approval of a $25.5 million class action settlement with Wyeth, and appointed WBE as Class Counsel.