This article provides a detailed overview of the Elmiron litigation, from its origins to its current status and future outlook. It is designed to equip law firms with the latest information, aiding in case development and client acquisition.
The Origins of the Elmiron Litigation
Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium) is a drug developed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, and approved in 1996 to treat interstitial cystitis, a chronic bladder condition causing pain and discomfort.
For years, the drug was considered a standard treatment with few known side effects. However, a series of studies beginning in 2018 revealed a link between long-term Elmiron use and a unique form of maculopathy, a type of retinal damage.
- 2018: The first studies from the Emory Eye Center identified a new type of pigmentary maculopathy in a small group of patients who had been taking Elmiron for an extended period.
- 2019: A follow-up study by Emory confirmed that the condition was specific to Elmiron users. That same year, a study at Kaiser Permanente found a significant number of long-term Elmiron users exhibited signs of toxicity, with a high percentage of patients (around 24%) showing eye damage after at least five years of use.
- 2020: The scientific community further solidified the link, with studies reinforcing the association between Elmiron and progressive maculopathy. The FDA responded by requiring Janssen to add a warning to the drug’s label about the risk of retinal pigmentary changes, specifically mentioning pigmentary maculopathy. The warning advised that while most cases occurred after three or more years of use, some were seen with a shorter duration.
These scientific findings led to a wave of product liability lawsuits alleging that Janssen failed to warn patients and the medical community about the vision-threatening risks of the drug, which could lead to permanent vision loss.
The State of the Litigation: From MDL Consolidation to Confidential Settlements
As lawsuits multiplied, the legal landscape evolved.
MDL Formation: On December 15, 2020, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) consolidated all federal Elmiron lawsuits into a single multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the District of New Jersey. The MDL, known as In Re: Elmiron (Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2973, was assigned to Judge Brian R. Martinotti. At the time of consolidation, there were 42 cases, a number that was expected to grow rapidly.
Diverse Leadership: Judge Martinotti has consistently overseen the litigation since its inception and has prioritized diversity in the appointment of the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee (PSC). The PSC is a diverse group of attorneys, with women comprising a significant portion of the committee, reflecting the fact that interstitial cystitis and its associated symptoms disproportionately affect women.
Current Status and Settlements: As of August 2025, the Elmiron litigation is in a winding-down phase. The total number of lawsuits filed in the Elmiron MDL reached a peak of nearly 2,000, but is now significantly lower. There are currently 706 lawsuits remaining in the MDL as of January, 2026, with many of the others having been resolved through confidential settlements. The court-ordered bellwether trials, which were initially scheduled to take place, have been postponed, suggesting that global settlement negotiations are actively underway.
What Lies Ahead in the Elmiron MDL?
The litigation is now focused on reaching a comprehensive resolution.
- Settlement Phase: The MDL is in a “wind-down” phase, with ongoing confidential settlements and declining case counts indicating progress toward a resolution.
- Bellwether Verdicts Unlikely: With bellwether trials withdrawn, the litigation will likely be resolved through a global settlement rather than a series of trial verdicts.
- Compensation Structure: While no global settlement has been publicly announced, compensation will likely be structured based on injury severity. The value of a case depends on the plaintiff’s injuries, with potential settlement amounts estimated to range from $25,000 to over $1,000,000 for plaintiffs with total vision loss.
The Future of Elmiron Litigation
The focus of the Elmiron litigation has shifted from preparing for bellwether trials to negotiating settlements. The decline in the number of pending cases and the cancellation of trial dates strongly indicate that a resolution is forthcoming. It is likely that any future Elmiron settlements will be structured in a tiered system, with compensation levels tied to the extent of a plaintiff’s vision damage.
For law firms, this presents a critical time to act. As the litigation approaches its final stages, the window for adding new cases may be closing. Staying informed about the latest settlement trends and legal developments is essential for maximizing recovery for clients and ensuring timely participation in any global settlement fund.
Partner with Verus for Elite Mass Tort Litigation Services
In a complex and rapidly evolving litigation like Elmiron, partnering with an experienced litigation support provider is crucial for success. Verus offers a full range of mass tort support services to enhance case development throughout the litigation lifecycle:
- Specialized Intake & Onboarding: Streamlined portals to intake claimants, enhancing lead evaluation and viability assessments.
- Robust Data Handling: From acquisition to analytics, Verus delivers reliable, secure, and efficient document and data workflows.
- Strategic Portfolio Management: Early identification of high-value or ineligible claims ensures smart allocation of litigation resources.
- Custom Analytics & Reporting: Tailored dashboards and scoring mechanisms provide insights into claimant patterns and litigation progress.
- Efficient Claims Processing: Sophisticated aggregation and submission pipelines speed up case resolution and strengthen settlement readiness.
By partnering with Verus, your firm can focus on the legal strategy while we handle the intricate details of case management and data analysis, ensuring an efficient and cost-effective approach to the Elmiron litigation.
