Janssen Pharmaceuticals has reached a partial agreement with the US government over a criminal investigation into the marketing of Risperdal.
The firm is being investigated for alleged off label marketing of its schizophrenia drug Risperdal dating back to 2004.
The charge is that Janssen promoted the drug for dementia, mood and anxiety disorders – all of which it is unlicenced to treat.
Janssen said that although an agreement had been reached 'in principal' on the charges, "certain issues remain open before a settlement can be finalised".
The firm did not elaborate on what these certain issues are or what the terms of the partial agreement entail.
The US Justice Department and the US attorney in Philadelphia are also continuing to pursue separate criminal and civil actions, meaning the investigation is not yet over.
The company is also in negotiations to settle civil investigations related to marketing of Risperdal and its other schizophrenia drug Invega, which is also licenced to treat schizoaffective disorder, but was less certain it could reach a settlement on these claims.
Janssen said the legal actions would not have any "adverse effect on the company's financial position".
It has however set aside funds in anticipation of penalties from criminal or civil suits, but would not disclose the sums involved.
