Sanofi Says Taxotere Eye Injury Suits Meritless, Preempted

Sanofi US Services Inc. urged a federal court in Louisiana to throw out suits challenging the warning on its breast cancer drug Taxotere, saying the label addressed the eye-injury side effect alleged in the litigation, and federal law preempts the claims.

Plaintiffs allege that Sanofi didn’t adequately warn doctors that Taxotere could cause permanent excessive tearing because of tear duct blockage. A better warning would have encouraged referral to a specialist and facilitated preventive treatment, they said.

Because the Taxotere label has warned since 2002 about excessive tearing, it’s adequate as a matter of law, the drugmaker said Tuesday in ...