Zofran (ondansetron), manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), is a member of a class of drugs known as 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, which work by blocking the actions of serotonin. Zofran is commonly prescribed for use by pregnant women suffering from morning sickness. Studies show that Zofran use by pregnant women can lead to a heightened risk of severe birth defects, including heart development irregularities, cleft lip and cleft palate.

On July 6, 2015, GSK filed a motion with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation requesting the court to consolidate all Zofran cases before one judge into a Multi-District Litigation (MDL). Granting MDL treatment consolidates all federal lawsuits filed across the United States into one centralized district. This consolidation streamlines the pretrial discovery process, allowing the parties to avoid duplicative discovery and inconsistent rulings from different judges.

GSK argues that the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, PA, is the most convenient venue for the MDL.