Attorneys representing plaintiffs in the US seeking compensation from the manufacturer and distributors of the birth defect-causing drug Thalidomide today lauded a $81 million settlement announced for Australian victims, but said progress for a similar settlement against GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) and Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE: SNY), does not appear likely without moving to trial.Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman, represents 49 victims who suffered birth defects after their mothers took the drug.

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