Janssen Pharmaceuticals is fighting to consolidate a novel Xarelto case into an existing mass-tort program in Philadelphia that, so far, has focused on claims the drug led to excessive bleeding.

Late last month, drugmaker Janssen filed a petition to enforce a case management order from the Xarelto mass-tort program that would consolidate Mothena v. Janssen Research & Development LLC into the existing mass tort in Philadelphia. Plaintiff David Mothena, who is alleging once-daily dosing fails to protect against stroke for 24 hours, responded last week with arguments that his claims do not stem from the same injury, and therefore the case should not be consolidated.

“The underlying theory and injuries alleged by plaintiffs in the instant action differ greatly from the injuries and theories regarding the mechanism of injury alleged in the Philadelphia Xarelto mass-tort litigation,” Mothena's opposition filing said. “Specifically, plaintiffs in the instant case claim that Xarelto was ineffective for its intended purpose of preventing strokes in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.”