Novartis Reaches Settlement with Henrietta Lacks' Family Over HeLa Cells
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 28 2026
0mins
Source: Benzinga
- Settlement Reached: Novartis has reached a confidential settlement with the family of Henrietta Lacks, marking a resolution to the controversy surrounding the use of her cells without consent for medical research, with both parties expressing satisfaction despite undisclosed financial terms, indicating a recognition of historical injustices.
- Legal Context: The Lacks family filed the lawsuit nearly 70 years after her death, arguing that companies profited from cells obtained without permission, reflecting the complexities of ethics and legality in the biotech industry, particularly regarding patient consent.
- Scientific Contributions: Lacks' HeLa cells are renowned for their ability to multiply indefinitely in laboratory conditions, advancing global vaccine and disease research, with the World Health Organization crediting them for significant breakthroughs in polio, HIV, and cancer research, highlighting the tension between scientific advancement and ethical considerations.
- Ongoing Legal Actions: In 2023, the Lacks family settled with Thermo Fisher Scientific, yet lawsuits against other pharmaceutical companies remain active, demonstrating the family's strong resolve in pursuing justice and compensation for the unauthorized use of Henrietta Lacks' cells.
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Analyst Views on NVS
Wall Street analysts forecast NVS stock price to fall
6 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 162.790
Low
112.00
Averages
127.75
High
143.00
Current: 162.790
Low
112.00
Averages
127.75
High
143.00
About NVS
Novartis AG is a Switzerland-based pharmaceutical company. The Company develops, manufactures, and markets branded and generic prescription drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), biosimilars and ophthalmic products. The Company uses science and digital technologies for treatments in the disease areas of immunology, dermatology, cancer, ophthalmology, neuroscience, respiratory, cardiovascular, renal and metabolism. The business activities of the Company are divided into two segments: Innovative Medicines, which includes innovative patent-protected prescription medicines for blood pressure, cancer and other ailments, and Sandoz, which includes generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Legal Context: The Lacks family filed the lawsuit nearly 70 years after her death, arguing that companies profited from cells obtained without permission, reflecting the complexities of ethics and legality in the biotech industry, particularly regarding patient consent.
- Scientific Contributions: Lacks' HeLa cells are renowned for their ability to multiply indefinitely in laboratory conditions, advancing global vaccine and disease research, with the World Health Organization crediting them for significant breakthroughs in polio, HIV, and cancer research, highlighting the tension between scientific advancement and ethical considerations.
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- Price Trend Analysis: Currently trading at $17.14, Olema's stock is 26.2% below its 20-day simple moving average and 19% below its 100-day SMA, indicating a bearish trend in the short to medium term, prompting investors to monitor shifts in market sentiment.
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- Analyst Ratings and Price Targets: Despite facing short-term pressures, Olema's stock retains a Buy rating with an average price target of $37.33, reflecting analysts' confidence in its long-term potential, especially as several firms have recently raised their price targets.
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Advantages Over Index Funds: This fund offers exposure to various countries and sectors similar to foreign index funds, but it focuses on higher-quality stocks.
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- Cost-Cutting Initiatives: Amarin successfully reduced its net loss per share from $0.20 in 2024 to $0.09 in 2025 through workforce reductions, demonstrating the company's efforts to improve its financial health despite declining sales.
- Legal Dispute Risks: Amarin is engaged in a legal battle with Hikma Pharmaceuticals at the U.S. Supreme Court, and a favorable outcome could boost its stock price; however, the ongoing legal risks pose significant threats to its future.
- Novartis' Steady Growth: Novartis reported sales of $54.5 billion in 2025, an 8% increase, with earnings per share rising 15% to $8.98, showcasing its ability to sustain growth despite patent expirations, supported by a diverse product portfolio and a robust pipeline.
See More
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ETF Performance: The VanEck FTSE All-World ex-U.S. ETF (VEU) has outperformed U.S. equities, gaining over 9% year-to-date compared to the S&P 500's slight gain, with significant interest from institutional investors.
Sector Exposure: The VEU ETF shows a strong allocation towards financials and technology, with notable holdings in companies from Japan, the UK, and Canada, reflecting a diversified global investment strategy.
Market Outlook: Analysts suggest that the ongoing "Sell America" trend and the ETF's strong performance indicate a continued preference for international investments, as U.S. equities face challenges from rising debt and unpredictable tariff policies.
See More
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- Settlement Reached: Novartis has reached a confidential settlement with the family of Henrietta Lacks, marking a resolution to the controversy surrounding the use of her cells without consent for medical research, with both parties expressing satisfaction despite undisclosed financial terms, indicating a recognition of historical injustices.
- Legal Context: The Lacks family filed the lawsuit nearly 70 years after her death, arguing that companies profited from cells obtained without permission, reflecting the complexities of ethics and legality in the biotech industry, particularly regarding patient consent.
- Scientific Contributions: Lacks' HeLa cells are renowned for their ability to multiply indefinitely in laboratory conditions, advancing global vaccine and disease research, with the World Health Organization crediting them for significant breakthroughs in polio, HIV, and cancer research, highlighting the tension between scientific advancement and ethical considerations.
- Ongoing Legal Actions: In 2023, the Lacks family settled with Thermo Fisher Scientific, yet lawsuits against other pharmaceutical companies remain active, demonstrating the family's strong resolve in pursuing justice and compensation for the unauthorized use of Henrietta Lacks' cells.
See More
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- Pipeline Enhancement: Avidity's muscle-directed Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates platform and three late-stage programs will bolster Novartis's RNA therapeutics pipeline, with planned product launches before 2030 potentially unlocking multi-billion-dollar market opportunities.
- Sales Growth Outlook: This acquisition is expected to support Novartis in achieving a net sales CAGR of 5-6% from 2025 to 2030, further solidifying its market position in the biopharmaceutical industry.
- Positive Market Reaction: Following the acquisition, Avidity's shares have ceased trading on Nasdaq, and Novartis's market confidence has increased, with expectations of accelerating the development and launch of next-generation medicines.
See More
