$52.5 Million Settlement Against Sepracor Inc. Approved

Berger & Montague and Wolf Haldenstein Obtain Third-Largest Settlement in Securities Fraud Case Against Bio-Tech Company on Drug Approval

PHILADELPHIA, September 10, 2007 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Judge Morris E. Lasker of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has granted final approval of a $52.5 million settlement in two separate but related securities class actions against Sepracor Inc., a Massachusetts-based pharmaceutical company . The lawsuits arose from Sepracor's alleged concealment of safety concerns surrounding its new antihistamine candidate, Soltara, that was rejected by the FDA for marketing approval in March 2002. The settlement is the third-largest settlement in a securities fraud case against a bio-technology company concerning a drug approval.

The suit was maintained by Staro Asset Management, LLC on behalf of a debt class consisting of holders of Sepracor's convertible debt securities, and by Westmont Venture Partners, LLC on behalf of an equity class consisting of holders of Sepracor's common stock, call options and put options.

The two classes were represented by a team of attorneys from Berger & Montague, P.C. of Philadelphia; and Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz, LLP, New York, led by Sherrie R. Savett of Berger & Montague and Daniel W. Krasner of Wolf Haldenstein. Berger & Montague shareholder Gary E. Cantor and associate Joshua C. Schumacher, and Wolf Haldenstein partner David L. Wales and associate Stacey T. Kelly were also heavily involved in the prosecution of this action.

A preliminary settlement agreement was reached between the parties in April 2007 after nearly five years of litigation. Lead plaintiff's attorney for the debt class, Sherrie R. Savett of Berger & Montague, noted that "the settlement is excellent for the classes. If we had gone to trial, there would have been a battle of conflicting medical and scientific experts given the multitude of complex scientific issues surrounding the development of Sepracor's new drug candidate. Additionally, economic experts would have quarreled about the proper measure of damages to the two classes caused by Sepracor's failure to obtain approval for its highly touted antihistamine drug."

This settlement is the second announced within the last week by Berger & Montague. On September 4, the firm announced a settlement valued at $67-$80 million against the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, its CEO and six investment firms.

Investors who purchased any of the affected Sepracor securities during the class period May 17, 1999 -- March 6, 2002, or who have questions concerning the settlement, should contact

(bondholders) Berger & Montague at 888-891-2289 or ; (shareholders) Wolf Haldenstein at 212-545-4600, or ; InvestorProtect@bm.net Wales@whafh.com Skelly@whafh.com

Berger & Montague, founded in 1970, is a pioneer in class action litigation. The firm's 67 attorneys concentrate their practice in complex litigation including securities and investor fraud, antitrust, civil and human rights, consumer protection and environmental and mass torts, and have recovered several billion dollars for consumers and investors.

For more information:

Joshua C. Schumacher, Berger & Montague, P.C., 215 875-3055 jschumacher@bm.net

CONTACT: Joshua C. Schumacher of Berger & Montague, P.C., +1-215-875-3055, jschumacher@bm.net

Web site: http://www.bergermontague.com/

Ticker Symbol: (NASDAQ-NMS:SEPR)

Terms and conditions of use apply
Copyright © 2007 PR Newswire Association LLC. All rights reserved.
A United Business Media Company

Latest Pharma Industry News...

Pharma Industry News Archive

More News Resources

Daily MedNews
Pharma Industry News
New Drug Applications
New Drug Approvals
Clinical Trial Results
Generic Drug Approvals
Monthly Update Archive