Abbott and Reckitt Win Key Legal Battle Over Preterm Formula Liability

A Missouri jury cleared the companies of responsibility for a boy's intestinal disease, marking their first victory in a series of similar lawsuits.

The St. Louis jury found Abbott and Reckitt's Mead Johnson not liable for failing to warn about the risks of their preterm infant formulas.
This verdict contrasts with previous cases where Abbott and Mead Johnson faced multimillion-dollar damages for similar allegations.
The companies argue there is no scientific evidence linking their formulas to necrotizing enterocolitis, a severe disease affecting premature infants.
Following the ruling, Abbott and Reckitt's stocks rose, with analysts suggesting the win could reduce potential liability costs significantly.
Despite this victory, nearly 1,000 similar lawsuits are pending, raising concerns about the future availability of these specialized formulas.