Merck's Prospects Brighten

Prospects for Merck & Co.'s $4.85 billion Vioxx settlement grew more promising, with participation outpacing expectations and the parties agreeing on amendments that resolve a major sticking point and make payouts more attractive to holdout plaintiffs.

The parties announced Friday that more than 57,100 claimants out of an estimated 60,100 -- in excess of 95% -- registered their cases by the Jan. 15 deadline, far more than the minimum required to keep the deal alive. Read more..
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