Boehringer Ingelheim Wins Zantac Cancer Lawsuits

Boehringer Ingelheim Wins Zantac Cancer Lawsuits

Introduction

Boehringer Ingelheim has successfully defended itself in two lawsuits claiming that its discontinued heartburn drug, Zantac, caused cancer.

A state court jury in Chicago ruled in favor of the privately held German drugmaker after a joint trial involving two Chicago residents who alleged they developed prostate cancer from taking the drug. Both cases had previously ended in hung juries.

Company Maintains Zantac Does Not Cause Cancer

Following the verdict, Boehringer Ingelheim expressed sympathy for the plaintiffs but emphasized that the decision aligns with scientific evidence. "The outcome of this case is entirely consistent with the totality of the scientific evidence, which shows that Zantac does not cause any type of cancer," the company stated. Lawyers for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Widespread Zantac Litigation and Settlements

These lawsuits are part of a larger wave of litigation against Zantac and its generic versions. Thousands of cases have been filed nationwide, with most now settled. Zantac, first approved in 1983, became the world’s best-selling medicine in 1988 and one of the first drugs to surpass $1 billion in annual sales. Over time, it was marketed by major pharmaceutical companies, including GSK, Pfizer, Sanofi, and Boehringer Ingelheim.

FDA’s Market Withdrawal and Legal Fallout

In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered Zantac to be pulled from the market after discovering that its active ingredient, ranitidine, could degrade into NDMA, a potential carcinogen, over time or when exposed to heat. This led to a surge in lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturers, with claims that long-term use of Zantac increased cancer risks.

Major Settlements by GSK, Pfizer, and Sanofi

GSK, facing the highest potential liability, agreed in October 2024 to settle approximately 80,000 Zantac lawsuits in state courts—about 93% of the cases against it—for $2.2 billion. Pfizer has also settled most state court cases, while Sanofi announced in April 2024 that it was resolving around 4,000 claims.

Federal Court Dismissals and Ongoing Appeals

In 2022, a federal judge dismissed about 50,000 Zantac lawsuits, ruling they lacked sufficient scientific evidence. Some of these cases are currently being appealed. Meanwhile, many remaining lawsuits are being pursued in Delaware state court, where the Delaware Supreme Court is reviewing whether they can proceed.