GSK, Sanofi Surge as US Judge Dismisses Zantac Cases (2)

GSK Plc and Sanofi surged after a US judge rejected the scientific evidence behind claims heartburn drug Zantac can cause cancer, meaning the drugmakers don’t have to face more than 5,000 lawsuits.

GSK shares rose 16% in London trading and Sanofi gained 8.8% in Paris. The UK drugmaker welcomed the dismissal, saying the ruling slapped down “unreliable and litigation-driven science.”

District Judge Robin Rosenberg in West Palm Beach, Florida, concluded that consumers used flawed science to back up lawsuits filed in federal court blaming Zantac for causing a variety of cancers. Rosenberg on Tuesday found plaintiffs’ experts couldn’t show legitimate ...