Janssen Faces Second Trial Over Drug’s Link to Birth Defects

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Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals unit is facing a second trial over the links between its Topamax seizure drug and birth defects.

A trial began today in Philadelphia over claims brought by a South Carolina couple, Michael Gurley and Haley Powell, on behalf of their 5-year-old son who was born with a cleft lip. The boy’s injuries were caused by Topamax, lawyers for the Gurleys told jurors today. Another case involving Topamax’s alleged effect on a 6-year-old Virginia boy is scheduled to close tomorrow in the same court.