Worldwide: Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration

A federal court dismissed securities fraud claims against a gene editing company and its officers, finding that while some statements about preclinical study results were actionable, plaintiffs failed to demonstrate the defendants knowingly misled investors about their AATD therapy program. The decision hinged on insufficient evidence connecting executive knowledge to alleged study failures and the court's determination that stock decline reflected disclosed development risks rather than fraud revelation.

The food and beverage industry faces a new wave of litigation modeled after Big Tobacco cases, with plaintiffs alleging that ultra-processed foods cause chronic diseases like diabetes and liver disease. A landmark Pennsylvania ruling dismissed the first major case due to insufficient causation evidence, but coordinated lawsuits across multiple jurisdictions and a government action in California signal that this legal battle is just beginning.

A New Jersey court recently examined the critical role of reasonable reliance in fraud and negligent misrepresentation claims involving a commercial real estate transaction. The case centered on a buyer's allegations that they were misled about the number of apartment units that could be developed on a property site, raising important questions about when purchasers can legitimately rely on seller representations versus their own due diligence investigations. The court's analysis provides valuable guidance