Tepezza Hearing Loss Trial Set for June 2026

Tepezza Hearing Loss Trial Set for June 2026

Introduction

The U.S. District Judge overseeing all federal Tepezza lawsuits has postponed the start of the first bellwether trial by 60 days.

This decision comes as attorneys continue preparations to present evidence and testimony that could influence the outcome of hundreds of similar claims. These lawsuits involve allegations that Tepezza injections caused irreversible hearing loss and tinnitus in patients.

Background on Tepezza and Reported Side Effects

Tepezza (teprotumumab-trbw) was launched in 2020 as the first medication approved to treat thyroid eye disease, a condition linked to Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism. This autoimmune disorder causes inflammation of the eye muscles, eyelids, tear glands, and fatty tissue behind the eyes. However, not long after the drug became available, users began reporting unexpected side effects—most notably hearing loss and persistent ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

FDA Warning Label Update and Mounting Lawsuits

Initially, Tepezza did not carry any warning about hearing-related risks. But in July 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required Horizon Therapeutics to revise the warning label. The updated label informed healthcare providers of the potential for irreversible hearing loss and emphasized the importance of monitoring patients’ hearing throughout treatment. Following the label change, over 230 individuals filed lawsuits alleging they experienced hearing damage after receiving the drug, claiming the manufacturer failed to warn about the risks in a timely manner.

MDL Consolidation and Pretrial Coordination

Due to the similar nature of the complaints and shared questions of fact and law, all Tepezza lawsuits filed in federal courts have been centralized into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Northern District of Illinois. This consolidation is designed to streamline pretrial proceedings and coordinate the handling of discovery and expert testimony. U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin is overseeing the MDL, which now includes more than 230 claims.

Bellwether Trial Program Structure

To assist both parties in evaluating how juries may react to the evidence, the court established a bellwether trial process. Four representative lawsuits have been selected to go to trial first. The outcomes of these cases, while not legally binding for the others, are expected to provide valuable insight into potential jury awards and help shape settlement discussions. The original trial schedule was set to begin on April 6, 2026, with additional trials in June, July, and September of that year.

New Trial Dates and Revised Deadlines

According to a case management order issued on July 7, plaintiffs requested an additional 60 days to finalize their trial preparations. The judge granted this unopposed motion, adjusting the schedule as follows: the first bellwether trial will now begin on June 8, 2026, followed by trials on August 3, September 28, and November 30 of the same year. Each trial is expected to last approximately three to four weeks. This change has also shifted expert witness depositions, which will now take place between August 25 and September 19, 2025.

Impact on Settlement Talks and Broader Litigation

Although the results of the bellwether trials will not directly impact the outcomes of the remaining lawsuits, they will likely influence the value of future settlements. Jury awards in these early trials could significantly shape negotiations between Horizon Therapeutics and the plaintiffs. In the lead-up to the first trial, the court has directed the parties to engage in settlement discussions at least once every three months. These talks aim to resolve the litigation without requiring individual trials for each case across federal courts nationwide.