It’s a little convoluted, but here goes: A state court judge in Pennsyvlania today agreed with Wyeth that there was insufficient evidence for a jury to find the company acted recklessly in marketing Prempro. Yesterday, the jury decided that Wyeth’s conduct was ‘wanton, willful and malicious,’ and was responsible for an Arkansas woman developing breast cancer.

The finding entitled the woman to punitive damages on top of the $1.5 million awarded her and husband in compensatory damages. Effectively, though, the judge overturned the jury, but is allowing the punitive damages phase to go forward pending an appeal of her ruling. Meanwhile, any punitive damages award will be kept confidential.

Legal hoop-jumping aside, this is good news for the drugmaker, which would, of course, appeal any negative verdict, anyway. Now, though, Wyeth can say the judge is already convinced its behavior wasn’t so bad. File it under Trying to Restore Your Image.[tags]Prempro, Wyeth[/tags]