U.S. Appeals Court Revives Pfizer Lawsuit

A U.S. appeals court has revived a lawsuit from the conservative group Do No Harm, challenging Pfizer's fellowship program aimed at increasing leadership opportunities for Black, Latino, and Native American individuals. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned its previous decision, which required groups to name specific members allegedly harmed by the program, a standard criticized for potentially deterring civil rights claims. Do No Harm argues that Pfizer's initiative unfairly excludes white and Asian-American applicants, while Pfizer maintains its commitment to diversity and claims that the lawsuit lacks merit. The case aligns with broader legal challenges to diversity programs following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling against race-conscious admissions policies in 2023. The lawsuit will now be reassessed by the lower court based on the appeals court's guidance.