The company has repeatedly stressed it will fight each case individually rather than enter into a broad settlement.

Merck has repeatedly said it intends to fight each case on a case-by-case basis rather than consider any broad settlement.

The company had previously said it intended to fight each case on a case-by-base basis rather than consider any broad settlement.

Merck has insisted it will fight each Vioxx lawsuit on a case-by-case basis rather than consider entering into a broad settlement.

The New Jersey-based drugmaker has vowed to fight each lawsuit on a case-by-case basis rather than enter into any broad settlement agreement.

The US is pressing Syria to resume peace talks with Israel as part of its push for broad settlement between Arab countries and Israel.

With Frazier as top lawyer, Merck has refused to enter into a broad settlement with plaintiffs, preferring to take on each case one by one.