A U.S. judge has dismissed most of a lawsuit filed by pet owners against Idexx Laboratories, a leading manufacturer of veterinary diagnostic testing products. The lawsuit claimed that Idexx’s practices drove up the cost of animal health services.
Chief U.S. District Judge Stacey Neumann in Maine ruled that the pet owners did not have the legal right to pursue many of their claims under state laws. However, she allowed some claims under Minnesota, North Carolina, and Missouri state laws to proceed.
The lawsuit alleged that Idexx used its market power to force veterinarians into exclusive contracts, leading to higher prices for pet owners. Idexx had urged the court to dismiss all state-based claims after federal antitrust allegations were previously rejected.
Idexx employs over 10,300 people and reported $3.9 billion in revenue last year. The company had previously faced antitrust claims from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in 2013, which it settled without admitting liability.
The lawsuit, filed in 2022, represents thousands of pet owners from 14 states, including New York, California, and Illinois. It focuses on diagnostic tests used for conditions like heartworms.
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