Pfizer Must Face Lawsuit Over Diversity Fellowship Program, US Court Rules

A U.S. appeals court revived a lawsuit challenging Pfizer Inc.’s diversity fellowship program. The second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the conservative group, Do No Harm, could pursue its case against Pfizer’s initiative aimed at increasing leadership opportunities for Black, Latino, and Native American individuals.

The group had previously been denied standing, but the court reversed its stance, allowing the case to move forward. ‘Do No Harm’ argued that the fellowship program discriminated against white and Asian-American applicants, while Pfizer maintained its commitment to diversity. The case follows the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling on race-conscious admissions and similar lawsuits targeting corporate diversity initiatives.