MDL Track
MDL 3163
E.D. Pa.
GLP-1 receptor agonist NAION/vision-loss track
54 pending
Pharmaceutical · litigation and safety scrutiny around semaglutide products and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
Defendant
Novo Nordisk A/S
MDL / Track
MDL 3163
E.D. Pa.
Judge
Judge Karen S. Marston
Plaintiffs
30 pending
Bellwether / Trial
No verdicts yet
Settlement Status
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Case overview
The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation centralized 30 federal lawsuits alleging GLP-1 receptor agonists cause non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) into MDL No. 3163 before U.S. District Judge Karen Marston in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on December 15, 2025. The litigation proceeds separately from the gastroparesis MDL (No. 3094) before the same judge. Plaintiffs allege Novo Nordisk's Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda and Eli Lilly's Trulicity can trigger NAION. Over 40 related cases are pending in New Jersey state court, where plaintiffs have petitioned for multicounty litigation designation in Middlesex County.
Causation Theory
A December 2024 Danish-Norwegian cohort study published on medRxiv found semaglutide use associated with a 2.81-fold increased risk of NAION (95% CI 1.67 to 4.75), with an absolute risk increase of 1.41 events per 10,000 person-years. The study, conducted using national registry data from Denmark and Norway, found an association between semaglutide use for type 2 diabetes and NAION risk. The study authors noted the absolute risk remains low.
Case Management Orders
Litigation status
The NAION vision-loss track has been consolidated into MDL 3163 in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania before Judge Karen Marston, separate from the gastroparesis MDL 3094. The JPML ordered consolidation in December 2025. As of March 2026, the MDL is in early pretrial proceedings with case management orders governing discovery and expert disclosure timelines.
MDL Track
MDL 3163
E.D. Pa.
GLP-1 receptor agonist NAION/vision-loss track
54 pending
State Court Activity
40+ pending in state court; 21 plaintiffs sought MCL designation in Middlesex County, N.J. (filed June 12, 2025)
MDL 3163 Leadership
Plaintiff Leadership
Co-Chair, Plaintiffs' Executive Committee & Federal–State Court Liaison
Co-Lead Counsel for Plaintiffs
Member, Plaintiffs' Executive Committee
Geographic exposure
EMA June 6, 2025: NAION classified as 'very rare' side effect of semaglutide—approximately 1 additional case per 10,000 person-years of treatment, translating to roughly 2-fold increased risk vs. non-users. Federal MDL 3163 and New Jersey MCL represent primary consolidation vehicles; state court filings in Delaware, Indiana, and Texas indicate geographic dispersion beyond Northeast corridor.
MDL 3163 (In re: GLP-1 RAs NAION Products Liability Litigation) centralized Dec. 15, 2025 before Judge Karen Marston. 30 federal optic neuropathy cases pending at time of transfer; separate from MDL 3094 gastroparesis track but same judge. Reuters Dec. 15, 2025.
Multicounty litigation (MCL) petition pending in Middlesex County Superior Court. 30+ plaintiffs from 13 states seeking coordination for NAION claims against Novo Nordisk as of Aug. 14, 2025; cases distributed across eight judges. State court track operates parallel to federal MDL. Reuters Dec. 15, 2025; litigation monitoring reports Aug. 14, 2025.
Active state court NAION litigation noted in MDL 3094 status conferences; counsel updates filed with Judge Marston on Delaware proceedings. Source: E.D. Pa. MDL 3094 case management records cited in litigation monitoring reports.
State court NAION litigation referenced in federal MDL status updates; part of coordinated state court activity alongside Delaware and New Jersey. Source: E.D. Pa. MDL 3094 case management records.
Individual NAION case filed July 15, 2025: 52-year-old female plaintiff alleges sudden irreversible vision loss post-Ozempic. State court filing. Source: litigation monitoring reports July 15, 2025.
Key defendants
Novo Nordisk A/S
Role: Manufacturer
Primary defendant in MDL 3163 (In Re: Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Products Liability Litigation), consolidated in E.D. Pa. before Judge Karen Marston. Core exposure on failure-to-warn for Ozempic/Wegovy NAION risk. EMA June 2025 labeling change for NAION as 'very rare' adverse reaction strengthens causation arguments.
Novo Nordisk Inc.
Role: Manufacturer
U.S. subsidiary named in MDL 3163 and New Jersey MCL applications. Same litigation posture as parent—early pretrial proceedings with focus on prescriber information and FDA FAERS data on vision loss reports.
Eli Lilly and Company
Role: Manufacturer
Named defendant in MDL 3163 for Trulicity, Mounjaro, Zepbound. Lilly urged JPML to consolidate NAION cases into existing gastroparesis MDL rather than separate MDL; panel rejected this. Lower case volume than Novo Nordisk in NAION track but same failure-to-warn theory.
| Defendant | Role | Intelligence Note |
|---|---|---|
| Novo Nordisk A/S | Manufacturer | Primary defendant in MDL 3163 (In Re: Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Products Liability Litigation), consolidated in E.D. Pa. before Judge Karen Marston. Core exposure on failure-to-warn for Ozempic/Wegovy NAION risk. EMA June 2025 labeling change for NAION as 'very rare' adverse reaction strengthens causation arguments. |
| Novo Nordisk Inc. | Manufacturer | U.S. subsidiary named in MDL 3163 and New Jersey MCL applications. Same litigation posture as parent—early pretrial proceedings with focus on prescriber information and FDA FAERS data on vision loss reports. |
| Eli Lilly and Company | Manufacturer | Named defendant in MDL 3163 for Trulicity, Mounjaro, Zepbound. Lilly urged JPML to consolidate NAION cases into existing gastroparesis MDL rather than separate MDL; panel rejected this. Lower case volume than Novo Nordisk in NAION track but same failure-to-warn theory. |
Timeline
JAMA Study Links Semaglutide to NAION
Harvard/Mass Eye and Ear study published in JAMA Ophthalmology finds semaglutide users over four times more likely to develop non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), triggering litigation wave. Hathaway et al., JAMA Ophthalmology (July 2024).
EMA Orders NAION Warning Label
European Medicines Agency requires updated labeling for Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus to include vision loss and NAION risk, providing regulatory validation for failure-to-warn claims.
EMA Confirms NAION as Adverse Reaction
European Medicines Agency concludes NAION should be listed as 'very rare possible adverse reaction' to semaglutide products, strengthening causation arguments for plaintiffs.
New Jersey NAION Consolidation Petitioned
Over 30 plaintiffs seek multicounty litigation status in New Jersey state court for Ozempic/Wegovy vision loss claims, nine more than reported June 17, 2025.
JPML Creates MDL 3163 for NAION
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation orders separate MDL for vision loss claims in Eastern District of Pennsylvania before Judge Karen Marston; 30 federal cases and 40+ state cases pending at formation. In re: Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3163.
MDL 3163 Status Conference Held
Court and counsel address administrative and case management issues in early pretrial proceedings for NAION MDL; Plaintiff Fact Sheets and document production from Novo Nordisk projected for 2026 completion.
Statute of limitations
NAION cases centralized in MDL 3163, In Re: Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) Products Liability Litigation, S.D. Fla., per JPML 2025 order. Discovery accrual likely runs from NAION diagnosis date or July 2024 Harvard/JAMA Ophthalmology study publication establishing semaglutide-NAION association. EMA concluded June 2025 that NAION should be listed as very rare adverse reaction for semaglutide products. Exclude MDL 3094 (GI track) per guidance. No federal preemption holding in NAION track.
Florida
4 years from discovery
Rule: Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a) products liability; discovery rule applies
Discovery: Accrues when plaintiff knew or should have known of injury and its likely cause; NAION diagnosis date or July 2024 Harvard/JAMA study publication may trigger
MDL 3163 centralized in S.D. Fla. per JPML 2025 order; early pretrial proceedings as of March 2026
Pennsylvania
2 years from discovery
Rule: 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524(2); discovery rule applies
Discovery: Accrues when plaintiff discovers or reasonably should discover injury and causal connection; NAION cases may accrue at diagnosis or regulatory recognition
MDL 3094 (GI track) presided over by Judge Karen S. Marston in E.D. Pa.; NAION cases now in MDL 3163 (S.D. Fla.) per JPML 2025 order
California
2 years from discovery
Rule: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 340.3; discovery rule applies
Discovery: Accrues when plaintiff suspects or should suspect injury caused by defendant's conduct
Large plaintiff pool; EMA August 2024 labeling change for NAION risk may support discovery arguments
Texas
2 years from discovery
Rule: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003; discovery rule applies
Discovery: Accrues when injury becomes inherently undiscoverable and not discoverable by reasonable diligence; NAION sudden onset favors plaintiffs
New York
3 years from discovery
Rule: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5); discovery rule applies
Discovery: Accrues when plaintiff discovers or should have discovered injury and its cause; July 2024 study date critical for recent users
Federal filings from N.Y. transferred to MDL 3163 (S.D. Fla.)
New Jersey
2 years from discovery
Rule: N.J. Stat. § 2A:14-2; discovery rule applies
Discovery: Accrues when plaintiff knows or reasonably should know of injury and its cause
Multicounty litigation (MCL) application pending for NAION claims against Novo Nordisk; state court alternative to federal MDL 3163
| State | SOL | Rule | Discovery Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 4 years from discovery | Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a) products liability; discovery rule applies | Accrues when plaintiff knew or should have known of injury and its likely cause; NAION diagnosis date or July 2024 Harvard/JAMA study publication may trigger | MDL 3163 centralized in S.D. Fla. per JPML 2025 order; early pretrial proceedings as of March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania | 2 years from discovery | 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524(2); discovery rule applies | Accrues when plaintiff discovers or reasonably should discover injury and causal connection; NAION cases may accrue at diagnosis or regulatory recognition | MDL 3094 (GI track) presided over by Judge Karen S. Marston in E.D. Pa.; NAION cases now in MDL 3163 (S.D. Fla.) per JPML 2025 order |
| California | 2 years from discovery | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 340.3; discovery rule applies | Accrues when plaintiff suspects or should suspect injury caused by defendant's conduct | Large plaintiff pool; EMA August 2024 labeling change for NAION risk may support discovery arguments |
| Texas | 2 years from discovery | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003; discovery rule applies | Accrues when injury becomes inherently undiscoverable and not discoverable by reasonable diligence; NAION sudden onset favors plaintiffs | — |
| New York | 3 years from discovery | N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5); discovery rule applies | Accrues when plaintiff discovers or should have discovered injury and its cause; July 2024 study date critical for recent users | Federal filings from N.Y. transferred to MDL 3163 (S.D. Fla.) |
| New Jersey | 2 years from discovery | N.J. Stat. § 2A:14-2; discovery rule applies | Accrues when plaintiff knows or reasonably should know of injury and its cause | Multicounty litigation (MCL) application pending for NAION claims against Novo Nordisk; state court alternative to federal MDL 3163 |
Live intelligence
AI litigation brief
Ozempic NAION remains early-stage / active mdl with 73 current signals in the accepted feed.
Overview
The NAION vision-loss track has been consolidated into MDL 3163 in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania before Judge Karen Marston, separate from the gastroparesis MDL 3094. The JPML ordered consolidation in December 2025. As of March 2026, the MDL is in early pretrial proceedings with case management orders governing discovery and expert disclosure timelines.
Key developments
Trajectory
Court filings and press coverage are both active in MDL 3163, pointing to sustained litigation pressure rather than a one-off headline cycle. 6 live sources are contributing current context.
Editorial intelligence
MDL 3163 should stay on the lead docket watch because it is the primary consolidation vehicle for Ozempic NAION.
Generated Jun 13, 2026, 9:00 AM UTC
73 events detected
Google News (10)
Research Links Ozempic to Vision Loss as GLP-1 Lawsuits Increase - The Legal Examiner
Research Links GLP-1s to Vision Loss as Lawsuits Increase - The Legal Examiner
Parker Waichman LLP Files Lawsuit on behalf of Pennsylvania Resident Alleging Development of Irreversible Eye Condition, NAION, after taking Wegovy - PR Newswire
Parker Waichman LLP Files Lawsuit on behalf of Florida Resident Alleging Development of Irreversible Eye Condition, NAION, after taking Ozempic and Mounjaro - PR Newswire
Parker Waichman LLP Files Lawsuit on behalf of Florida Resident Alleging Development of Irreversible Eye Condition, NAION, after taking Ozempic - PR Newswire
Parker Waichman LLP Files Lawsuit on behalf of South Carolina Resident Alleging Development of Irreversible Eye Condition, NAION, after taking Ozempic - PR Newswire
Could Ozempic Make You Go Blind? ‘Eye Stroke’ Claims Trigger Wave Of Lawsuits - MadameNoire
GLP-1 Vision Loss Lawsuits: Ozempic, Wegovy, and NAION Optic Nerve Injury Claims - JD Supra
GLP-1 Vision Loss Lawsuits: Ozempic, Wegovy, and NAION Optic Nerve Injury Claims - JD Supra
Dose-dependent Risk for Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Found with Semaglutide - Review of Optometry
Ophthalmology • Nordvall LM • PMID 42283648 • Letter.
Diabetes, obesity & metabolism • Charaya A • PMID 42259643 • Journal Article.
JCEM case reports • Prasad S • PMID 42220603 • Case Reports.
Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie • Chatziralli I • PMID 42201355 • Journal Article.
PLoS medicine • Fendler W • PMID 42166479 • Journal Article.
Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket filed in JPML: Plaintiffs are suing Defendants because they failed to provide adequate warnings regarding the risk of permanent vision loss associated with their medications. Plaintiffs claim that the use of Ozempic and Mounjaro led to the development of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Th
Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from PAED: COMPLAINT against ELI LILLY AND COMPANY, LILLY USA, LLC ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number APAEDC-19351985.), filed by ALISON MCMAHAN. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Designation Form)(AMINOLROAYA, PARVIN) (Entered: 06/11/2026)
Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from PAED: COMPLAINT against NOVO NORDISK A/S, NOVO NORDISK, INC ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number APAEDC-19351769.), filed by RANDY MCELRAVY. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Designation Form)(Warriner, C.) (Entered: 06/11/2026)
Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from PAED: COMPLAINT against NOVO NORDISK A/S, NOVO NORDISK INC. ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number APAEDC-19349592.), filed by RICHARD PELLETIER. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Designation Form)(Goldstein, Jason) (Entered: 06/10/2026)
Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from CAND: NOTICE OF REMOVAL Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Sections 1332, 1441, and 1446 from Contra Costa Superior Court. Their case number is C26-01800. (Filing fee $405 receipt number ACANDC-22068549). Filed by Novo Nordisk Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Raymond M. Williams ISO Defendant's Removal of Action
Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from PAED: COMPLAINT against NOVO NORDISK A/S, NOVO NORDISK INC. ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number APAEDC-19333175.), filed by JOHN A. SMITH. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Designation Form)(Goldstein, Jason) (Entered: 06/05/2026)
Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from PAED: COMPLAINT George W. Ousler, III against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number APAEDC-19326346.), filed by George W. Ousler, III. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Designation Form)(ORENT, JONATHAN) (Entered: 06/03/2026)
Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from PAED: COMPLAINT against NOVO NORDISK A/S, NOVO NORDISK, INC. ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number APAEDC-19321870.), filed by LISA GRIFFIN. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Designation Form)(Warriner, C.) (Entered: 06/02/2026)
Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from PAED: COMPLAINT against NOVO NORDISK A/S, NOVO NORDISK INC., ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number APAEDC-19320283.), filed by JEFFREY DELORME. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Designation Form)(Nigh, Daniel) (Entered: 06/02/2026)
Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from PAED: COMPLAINT (MDL 3163) against NOVO NORDISK A/S, NOVO NORDISK INC., ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number APAEDC-19311782.), filed by JUDITH HUESMAN. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Designation Form)(AMINOLROAYA, PARVIN) (Entered: 05/29/2026)
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LexGenius Ranking
92Score
Court, news, and regulatory activity are elevated
Monitoring
Live
monitoring
Last: Jun 13, 2026, 9:00 AM UTC
Next: 10:14
Source Monitoring
PACER
PACER
Google News
FAERS
PubMed
Event feed
73
events detected
AI Brief
Ozempic NAION remains early-stage / active mdl with 73 current signals in the accepted feed.
Overview
The NAION vision-loss track has been consolidated into MDL 3163 in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania before Judge Karen Marston, separate from the gastroparesis MDL 3094. The JPML ordered consolidation in December 2025. As of March 2026, the MDL is in early pretrial proceedings with case management orders governing discovery and expert disclosure timelines.
Key developments
PACER court filing on Dec 31: Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Products Liability Litigation. ‖ The Legal Examiner news on Jun 11: Research Links Ozempic to Vision Loss as GLP-1 Lawsuits Increase - The Legal Examiner. ‖ FAERS FDA alert on Mar 31: FAERS Filing 26560936: IVth nerve paralysis. ‖ PubMed research on Jun 12: Re: Liu et al.: Rate and risk of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy with semaglutide use for diabetes and weight loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Ophthalmology 2026;133;589-598)..
Generated Jun 13, 2026, 9:00 AM UTC
Tracked MDLs
MDL 3163
E.D. Pa.
GLP-1 receptor agonist NAION/vision-loss track