U.S. shareholders of Bayer AG filed a lawsuit in a federal district court of New York, accusing the company of covering up information about anti-cholesterol drug Baycol, which has been linked to more than 100 deaths. Bayer is already facing more than 7,000 lawsuits worldwide for damages from Baycol patients claiming they suffered severe side effects.

The class action lawsuit filed by Wolf Popper LLP on behalf of U.S. shareholders alleges that Bayer’s statements “were materially false and misleading because Bayer AG’s own scientists were stating internally that Baycol, when administered with other popular medications or at a high dosages, caused unacceptable risk of serious side effects. In fact, throughout the class period Bayer AG was informed that patients taking Baycol were experiencing serious and life threatening side effects.”

Bayer said it was reviewing the lawsuit and intended to defend itself vigorously.

(via Reuters)