Overview
Oxbryta (voxelotor) was a medication developed by Global Blood Therapeutics for the treatment of sickle cell disease. The FDA gave the drug accelerated approval. Pfizer later bought Global Blood Therapeutics in 2022.[1]
Pfizer voluntarily withdrew Oxbryta from all markets worldwide, stating that data showed an imbalance in vaso-occlusive crises and fatal events and that the benefit no longer outweighed the risk.[2]
Litigation has followed the withdrawal. This page tracks the court record in date order.
December 2024: Consumer Class Action Filed
On December 23, 2024, a consumer class action seeking reimbursement for Oxbryta purchases was filed in the Northern District of California. There is no MDL; federal cases are coordinated in that district.[1]
A consumer class action is a lawsuit brought on behalf of a group of people who purchased a product, typically seeking refunds or reimbursement. This type of case is distinct from personal injury lawsuits, which seek compensation for physical harm. The filing in the Northern District of California means that federal Oxbryta cases are being handled in a coordinated fashion in that court, even though no formal multidistrict litigation (MDL) has been created. Coordination allows a single judge to manage pretrial proceedings efficiently when multiple related cases are filed.
June 2027: First Injury Trial Scheduled
On June 7, 2027, a federal judge in California set the first Oxbryta injury trial, Allen v. Pfizer and Global Blood Therapeutics, for June 2027.[3]
This represents the first bellwether trial in the Oxbryta litigation. A bellwether trial is an early test case selected from a larger group of similar lawsuits. It allows both sides to present evidence and arguments before a jury, and the outcome can help the parties evaluate the strength of their positions. Bellwether trials do not resolve all pending cases, but they often influence settlement negotiations and provide guidance for how other cases might proceed.
The Allen case is scheduled as an injury trial, meaning it involves claims of physical harm allegedly caused by Oxbryta, as opposed to the consumer reimbursement claims filed in December 2024.
Where Things Stand Now
As of the record we track, federal Oxbryta cases are coordinated in the Northern District of California. One consumer class action seeking reimbursement has been filed, and one injury case, Allen v. Pfizer and Global Blood Therapeutics, has been scheduled for trial in June 2027.
The lawsuits allege harm related to Oxbryta, but no court has ruled on the merits of any claim. The allegations remain untested in court.
The record we track does not show any settlements, any rulings on the substance of the claims, or any additional trial dates beyond the Allen case.
What Is Not Known Yet
The public court record we follow does not show how many individual injury lawsuits have been filed, how many people are part of the consumer class action, or whether any motions to dismiss or other early challenges have been decided.
The record does not show whether discovery has begun, what evidence has been exchanged, or whether any settlement discussions are underway.
The outcome of the Allen trial in June 2027 is not known. That trial will be the first opportunity for a jury to hear evidence and decide whether Pfizer and Global Blood Therapeutics are liable for injuries allegedly caused by Oxbryta.
No court has determined whether the claims have merit, and no findings of fact or conclusions of law have been issued on the central allegations in these cases.
Sources
- Oxbryta approval (2019-11-01). Secondary report: tavrn.ai
- Oxbryta withdrawal (2024-09-25). Secondary report: peircelaw.com
- Allen v. Pfizer (N.D. Cal.) (2027-06-07). Secondary report: harrismartin.com
Litigation facts on this page come from the TortIntel litigation record and the documents linked above. Last checked against that record on 2026-10-24. If you see an error, tell us and we will correct it.