Bayer Settles Baycol Case in Fort Worth

Bayer, Germany’s biggest drug maker, settled a lawsuit over the withdrawn cholesterol drug Baycol for an undisclosed sum less than two weeks before the case was to go to trial in Fort Worth.

Bayer said last month that it had paid $150 million to settle 500 cases related to Baycol, which was linked to more than 100 deaths and cases of muscle weakening.

The company has won the first two cases that have come to trial over the drug.

Some analysts originally estimated that damage payments could be as much as $10 billion.

Bayer’s U.S.-traded shares rose 27 cents, or 1.7%, to $15.96 on the New York Stock Exchange.