06:03 AM EDT, 07/03/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with statement from GSK in fourth and fifth paragraphs.)

A Delaware Superior Court judge rejected an appeal from GSK (GSK) and other drugmakers to overturn a ruling that cleared the way for over 70,000 lawsuits alleging that the heartburn drug Zantac causes cancer, Reuters reported late Monday.

Judge Vivian Medinilla "resoundingly rejected GSK, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer ( PFE ), and Sanofi's ( SNY ) attempt to end run around the jury system in Delaware," the report quoted Jennifer Moore, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, as saying.

In light of the ruling, drugmakers including Pfizer ( PFE ) , Sanofi ( SNY ) and Boehringer Ingelheim, will have to file an appeal directly with the Delaware Supreme Court, the report said.

GSK has submitted its appeal to the higher court, a company spokesperson confirmed to MT Newswires, adding that "the Superior Court's decision is inconsistent with the way in which the relevant legal standard (known as the Daubert standard) has been applied in both Delaware and federal courts."

"The scientific consensus remains that there is no consistent or reliable evidence that ranitidine increases the risk of any cancer," GSK said.

Pfizer ( PFE ), Sanofi ( SNY ) and Boehringer did not respond to MT Newswires' requests for comment.

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