Henrietta Lacks Estate Lawsuits and Related Novartis Actions
The estate of Henrietta Lacks reached an undisclosed settlement with pharmaceutical company Novartis on March 16, 2026, resolving a lawsuit filed in August 2024 alleging the company profited from the use of Lacks' cells without consent. As of March 20, 2026: Lawsuits against Viatris and Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical remain ongoing, while Novartis faces a new class-action lawsuit for allegedly sharing patient data. This marks the second major settlement for the Lacks estate, following a 2023 resolution with Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., continuing the family's fight for justice and restitution for the unauthorized use of Henrietta Lacks' HeLa cells, first cultured in 1951.
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March 2026 — 2 developments
Novartis is facing a new class-action lawsuit filed on March 20, 2026, alleging the company unlawful…
Novartis is facing a new class-action lawsuit filed on March 20, 2026, alleging the company unlawfully shared patients' private health information with third parties, including Google and ContentSquare. The suit claims Novartis used tracking tools on its drug websites to collect data on users' medical conditions and prescriptions without consent, leading to targeted advertisements. This follows a separate settlement on March 2, 2026, with the estate of Henrietta Lacks.
The estate of Henrietta Lacks has reached an undisclosed settlement with pharmaceutical company Novartis, resolving a lawsuit filed in August 2024.
The estate of Henrietta Lacks has reached an undisclosed settlement with pharmaceutical company Novartis, resolving a lawsuit filed in August 2024. This settlement marks the second major agreement for the Lacks estate, following a previous resolution with Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. in 2023. Lawsuits against Viatris and Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical remain ongoing.
August 2024 — 1 developments
The estate of Henrietta Lacks filed a lawsuit against Novartis, a major pharmaceutical company, alle…
The estate of Henrietta Lacks filed a lawsuit against Novartis, a major pharmaceutical company, alleging that it had profited from the use of Henrietta Lacks' cells without consent or compensation. This lawsuit was part of a broader legal strategy by the Lacks family to seek justice and financial restitution for the historical appropriation of her cells.
May 2023 — 1 developments
Thermo Fisher Scientific announced a settlement with the estate of Henrietta Lacks, resolving a lawsuit that alleged the company profited from the unauthorized use of Lacks' cells.
Thermo Fisher Scientific announced a settlement with the estate of Henrietta Lacks, resolving a lawsuit that alleged the company profited from the unauthorized use of Lacks' cells. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but it marked a significant victory for the Lacks family in their long-standing fight for recognition and compensation.
October 2021 — 1 developments
The estate of Henrietta Lacks filed a lawsuit against Thermo Fisher Scientific, alleging unjust enrichment and the unlawful commercialization of HeLa cells.
The estate of Henrietta Lacks filed a lawsuit against Thermo Fisher Scientific, alleging unjust enrichment and the unlawful commercialization of HeLa cells. The lawsuit, filed exactly 70 years after Lacks' death, sought to recover profits made from the unauthorized use of her cells.
January 2017 — 1 developments
An HBO film adaptation of Rebecca Skloot's book, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," starring Oprah Winfrey as Henrietta's daughter Deborah, was released.
An HBO film adaptation of Rebecca Skloot's book, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," starring Oprah Winfrey as Henrietta's daughter Deborah, was released. The film further amplified public awareness of Henrietta Lacks' story and the ethical issues surrounding the use of her cells.
March 2013 — 1 developments
Researchers published the fully sequenced genome of the HeLa cell line without the Lacks family's prior knowledge or consent.
Researchers published the fully sequenced genome of the HeLa cell line without the Lacks family's prior knowledge or consent. This action raised significant privacy concerns among the family, leading to the voluntary withdrawal of the data. Subsequently, the NIH established a HeLa Genome Data Access Working Group, including Lacks' descendants, to review access requests.
January 2010 — 1 developments
Rebecca Skloot's critically acclaimed book, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," was published, b…
Rebecca Skloot's critically acclaimed book, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," was published, bringing widespread public attention to Henrietta Lacks' story, the unethical harvesting of her cells, and the subsequent exploitation of her family. The book detailed the scientific impact of HeLa cells and the ethical and racial injustices involved.
August 1951 — 1 developments
Henrietta Lacks' cells, taken without her consent in January and February of 1951, were successfully cultured by Dr.
Henrietta Lacks' cells, taken without her consent in January and February of 1951, were successfully cultured by Dr. George Otto Gey at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He discovered that these cells, unlike normal cells, could reproduce indefinitely in a laboratory setting, forming the first immortal human cell line, which he named HeLa. This breakthrough occurred before Lacks' death in October 1951.