1. In Vivo
  2. >>Innovation

Henrietta Lacks’ Harvested Cells: Is The Clock Ticking On Unjust Enrichment Claim?

Cells Were Harvested From Henrietta Lacks Without Her Knowledge Or Consent In 1951

 
• By Chloe Kent

The descendants of Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman whose non-consensually harvested cervical cancer cells became the famous HeLa cell line, are suing Thermo Fisher Scientific. The family argue that Thermo Fisher’s ongoing profits from the various HeLa cell lines it commercializes and sells constitute unjust enrichment.

After a two-year legal battle, a district court will soon decide whether the descendants of Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman whose cervical cancer cells formed the basis for the famous HeLa cell line, can proceed with their lawsuit against Thermo Fisher Scientific. The plaintiffs contend that the company unjustly profited from the use of Lacks’ cells, but the defendants are arguing that the claim is outside that statute of limitations.

The outcome of the case may ultimately hang on what constitutes unjust enrichment from the use of living cells and...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on In Vivo for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Innovation

Finding The Fire: AltruBio’s Novel Approach To Autoimmune Disease

 
• By David Wild

CEO Judy Chou brings big pharma experience to tackle chronic inflammation with the company's first-in-class PSGL-1 targeting therapy.

Late-Stage GLP-1 Drug Trials Outside The Cardiometabolic Space

 
• By David Wild

A look at Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and other companies' late-stage clinical studies of GLP-1 drugs in indications ranging from neurodegeneration to oncology, and alcoholic liver disease to autoimmune conditions.

AI In Health Delivery: Patients Most Confident When HCPs Are In Charge

 
• By Ashley Yeo

Annual survey of patients and professionals shows how attitudes to health system transformation are evolving and what stakeholders are demanding as acceptance of AI tools accelerates.

Medtech Innovators Court London-Based Investors At BioWales 2025

 
• By Ashley Yeo

BioWales in London 2025 showcased the efforts healthtech innovators are making to meet investors on their own turf, illustrating changing attitudes and evolving needs.

More from In Vivo

AI In Health Delivery: Patients Most Confident When HCPs Are In Charge

 
• By Ashley Yeo

Annual survey of patients and professionals shows how attitudes to health system transformation are evolving and what stakeholders are demanding as acceptance of AI tools accelerates.

Medtech Innovators Court London-Based Investors At BioWales 2025

 
• By Ashley Yeo

BioWales in London 2025 showcased the efforts healthtech innovators are making to meet investors on their own turf, illustrating changing attitudes and evolving needs.

Rising Leaders 2025: Metsera’s Whit Bernard’s Musical Path To Biotech Leadership

 
• By David Wild

Metsera CEO Whit Bernard applies an unconventional leadership philosophy to develop next-generation obesity therapeutics, including monthly GLP-1 injections and oral peptides.