Federal judge throws out Merck Vioxx victory

LOS ANGELES, May 30 (Reuters) - A federal judge in New Orleans has thrown out a court victory for Merck & Co. (MRK.N), allowing a new, third trial for a widow who claims the company's blockbuster painkiller Vioxx caused her husband's fatal heart attack.

U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon ruled on Tuesday that Merck's expert cardiologist misrepresented his credentials to the court and to the jury during the trial by testifying that he was a board-certified cardiologist when he was not.