So much data and emails were turned over in a Risperdal lawsuit in Pennsylvania that the case was put on hold.

Emails quoted in the Risperdal lawsuit allege that there was a possible conflict of interest involved in a statistical analysis of Risperdal male breast growth data.

Lawyers for the plaintiff read emails between a statistician and an official who worked for Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the makers of Risperdal. Risperdal lawsuits have called into question the impartiality of research, arguing that Janssen may have exerted influence over research to try and hide the alleged link between Risperdal and male breast growth.

The legal team representing a man who allegedly suffered Risperdal male breast growth paints the relationship between Janssen and the researcher as friendly enough to compromise the data. The emails describe plans to met up for dinner and go to a Phillies game.

“They’re old hoagie buddies,” said the plaintiff’s lawyer.

The lawyer used the emails to contest Janssen Pharmaceutical’s argument that the company had a very limited role in the study. Plaintiff Timothy S., alleges that he developed Risperdal male breast growth.

The researcher in question was involved in a controversial reanalysis of data studying the possibility of Risperdal male breast growth. The data was first used in a 2003 medical article.

The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry originally published the article. Media reports and Risperdal lawsuits raised questions about the validity of the data and its interpretation, leading to a reanalysis. Janssen has insisted the company performed the reanalysis legitimately, and handed over the data to the FDA.

Janssen has handed over more than 30,000 documents totaling roughly 300,000 pages over the course of this Risperdal male breast growth lawsuit. So much data had been handed over, including the emails, that there is a three-week pause in the case to give the plaintiff’s legal team time to evaluate and digest the new documents.

Risperdal is a newer-generation antipsychotic drug, approved by the FDA to treat bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and related disorders, and some symptoms of autism. However, it has been alleged that Risperdal may increase the levels of prolactin in male patients, leading to male breast growth, or gynecomastia.

Prolactin is the hormone that normally helps direct breast growth in women. Some studies suggest that Risperal can increase prolactin levels. Additionally, Risperdal lawsuits have alleged that Janssen illegally marketed Risperdal by promoting the drug for off-label use. This means that Jansen allegedly tried to market Risperdal for uses other than those tested and approved under FDA rules.

The Risperdal lawsuit is the first in a series of coordinated Risperdal male breast growth lawsuits with a single MDL. An MDL, or multidistrict litigation, is a process the legal system uses to coordinate cases together.

Since Risperdal lawsuits make similar allegations of Risperdal male breast growth and hinge on similar evidence, they were grouped together into a Risperdal MDL. The first cases in an MDL, called bellwether cases, are used to establish precedents that can apply to the rest of the Risperdal lawsuits in the MDL.

The Risperdal lawsuit involving Timothy S. is a bellwether case, and as such, it is being watched closely. The outcome of this Risperdal lawsuit could ultimately determine the fate of hundreds, if not thousands, of other Risperdal lawsuits. A ruling is expected this month.

The Risperdal Lawsuit is filed within the larger Risperdal MDL: In RE: Risperdal Litigation, Case No. 100300296, filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.