May 22 (Reuters) - A judge in Hawaii on Tuesday ordered

Bristol Myers Squibb ( BMY ) and Sanofi to pay more

than $916 million to the state for failing to warn non-white

patients of health risks from its blood thinner Plavix, up from

an earlier judgment of $834 million.

The ruling from Judge James Ashford, of Hawaii's First

Circuit Court, follows a non-jury trial held last fall. It was

the second trial in the case, after the state's Supreme Court

found that the judge in the first trial that resulted in the

$834 million award had made a legal error.

"Once actually received by the state general fund, I

anticipate that this award will provide greater healthcare

services to the people of Hawaii," Governor Josh Green, a

Democrat, said in a statement.

France-based Sanofi and U.S. drugmaker Bristol Myers said in

a joint statement that they disagreed with the decision and

would appeal. "The overwhelming body of scientific evidence

demonstrates that Plavix is a safe and effective therapy,

regardless of a patient's race or genetics," they said.

Hawaii alleged the companies violated state consumer

protection laws by marketing Plavix without disclosing that the

drug could have a diminished or no effect for some people,

particularly of East Asian and Pacific Island ancestry.

Plavix, known generically as clopidogrel, is prescribed to

prevent blood clots that can lead to strokes and heart attacks.

The blood thinner needs to be activated by the body's own

enzymes, which can vary genetically.

Studies have shown that about 14% of Chinese patients are

unable to metabolize the drug properly, compared with 4% of

Black and 2% of white patients.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2010 issued a

Plavix warning label to reflect that information.

Bristol Myers and Sanofi still face a similar lawsuit over

Plavix by the state of New Mexico.