TRENTON, N.J., Sept. 11 (UPI) -- A federal judge in New Jersey declared a mistrial in a case that claimed U.S. pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co.'s drug Fosamax caused dental and jaw problems.

The plaintiff, Shirley Boles, claimed the drug, sold as an osteoporosis treatment for postmenopausal women, was responsible for deteriorating bones in her jaw.

Judge John Keenan declared the mistrial after an eight-person jury failed to come to a unanimous decision after several days of deliberations.

The case, Boles v. Merck, was the first to go to trial among 899 cases involving Fosamax that have been filed against the company.

In a statement released by Merck, company attorney Paul Strain said a note passed from the jury to the judge indicated seven of the eight jurors were in favor of dismissal.

"Seven of the eight jurors, including the jury foreperson ... agree that there is no evidence of proof that Fosamax caused Mrs. Boles' injury," Strain said.