Judge Stays Five Allergan Cases Pending Multidistrict Ruling

A Texas judge placed five antitrust lawsuits against Allergan on hold so a judicial panel can determine whether they should be combined.

Judge Rodney Gilstrap of the Eastern District of Texas granted Allergan’s motion to stay, putting the lawsuits on hold until Feb. 19, at which point Allergan must provide a motion to dismiss or other response to each of the complaints. Gilstrap ordered Allergan and the plaintiffs to file a joint status report at least 48 hours ahead of the February deadline, which the court may use to rule on whether to lift or continue the stay.

The five lawsuits accuse the company of violating antitrust laws to keep generics for its dry-eye drug Restasis off the market.