Novartis settles HeLa-cell profits dispute with Lacks estate

Novartis settled a Maryland federal suit with Henrietta Lacks’ estate over profits tied to HeLa cells, the 1951-derived line taken without Lacks’ consent that underpins countless medical advances; terms are confidential. It marks the second settlement the estate has reached with a biotech company after Thermo Fisher, as the estate sought full net profits from commercializing HeLa. Johns Hopkins says it did not profit from the cell line, though many firms hold HeLa-based patents. The Lacks family also has ongoing lawsuits against Ultragenyx and Viatris, with potential for more filings, highlighting ongoing debates over consent and benefit-sharing in medical research.