After one of its key drugs languished in the development phase, Asahi Kasei Pharma turned to Rollin Chippey II for help suing a business partner, Actelion Ltd, that it blamed for the hold-up. Chippey and his colleagues at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius delivered in a big way. They not only won a huge verdict that Actelion tortiously interfered with Asahi’s drug, but also successfully handled an appeal in which Actelion hired high-priced appellate counsel and drummed up formidable amicus support from the business community.
California’s highest court declined on Wednesday to review the verdict, now valued at about $520 million, including interest. The ruling brought a quick end to Actelion’s argument that the verdict is based on a flawed and troublesome approach to calculating corporate liability.
