Shares in GSK and Sanofi surge as court rules on Zantac heartburn treatment       

Judge Rosenberg rejected scientific evidence, and said experts used 'unreliable methodologies to conclude ranitidine degrades into NDMA inside of the human body.' 

The lawsuits by former Zantac users against a group drugmakers that made the now-over-the–counter heartburn medicine over the years. Pfizer is among the drugmakers involved. Picture: iStock

Shares in GSK and Sanofi surged after a US judge rejected the scientific evidence behind claims heartburn drug Zantac can cause cancer, meaning the drugmakers do not have to face more than 5,000 lawsuits.

GSK shares closed over 8% higher in London trading and Sanofi gained 7% in Paris. The UK drugmaker welcomed the dismissal, saying the ruling slapped down “unreliable and litigation-driven science”.