On December 15, 2025, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) announced a new multidistrict litigation (MDL) docket. This is a large development in the world of GLP-1 RA litigation. This MDL will handle lawsuits claiming that popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs caused serious vision loss. The drugs involved include Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Saxenda® and Trulicity®.
The litigation focuses on claims that GLP-1 RA drugs may cause a rare eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION affects the optic nerve and can lead to partial or permanent blindness.
The new MDL will be overseen by U.S. District Judge Karen Marston in Philadelphia, who also oversees the existing GLP-1 drug litigation.
What this means going forward
- Vision loss claims will now proceed separately from gastrointestinal injury cases.
- The new MDL will allow vision loss cases to share discovery, expert work and pretrial rulings.
- State court cases will continue independently but may still influence the broader litigation.
Why was a new GLP-1 MDL created?
The vision loss cases were originally grouped with federal lawsuits involving gastrointestinal injuries, such as gastroparesis.
During pretrial proceedings, the parties argued that the eye injury claims involve different medical issues and evidence, justifying a separate coordinated proceeding.
Ultimately, the JPML agreed with the parties. About 30 vision loss lawsuits are in federal court, and more than 40 similar cases are in state courts.
Motley Rice supports a separate vision loss MDL
Motley Rice member attorney Jonathan Orent is co-lead counsel for the pre-existing MDL and has been closely involved in shaping the litigation against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.
He supports the creation of the new MDL in Philadelphia before Judge Marston, hoping the decision will help move the vision loss cases forward in a more organized and efficient way.
“Separating vision loss claims into their own MDL is an important step toward advancing these cases forward with the attention they deserve,” said Motley Rice attorney and GLP-1 RA MDL co-lead counsel Jonathan Orent.
Orent also welcomes the appointment of Judge Marston. He notes Marston’s current involvement in the original litigation and feels she is well-equipped to handle these claims as well.
Contact Motley Rice
Motley Rice’s lawyers represent clients nationwide in complex pharmaceutical cases, including the current litigation against Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and others. Our firm continues to monitor safety concerns involving GLP-1 RA drugs, including vision loss. Read more about our medical drug litigation experience.
Do not stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting with your doctor. Discontinuing a prescribed medication without your doctor's advice can result in injury or death. Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda and Trulicity remain approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.