"Grunenthal maintains that its actions were consistent with the state of scientific knowledge and the prevailing standards for pre-marketing and testing of the pharmaceutical industry in the 1950s," the company said. "Grunenthal believes that it acted responsibly in the development of Thalidomide, and greatly regrets the consequences of the Thalidomide tragedy."
Diageo representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Thalidomide lawsuits have been filed across the world over the years, and all three companies have previously paid out settlements, many for millions of dollars. In 2010, the British government officially apologized to people hurt by the drug, after earlier agreeing to pay 20 million pounds ($31 million) to Thalidomide's victims.
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