- Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) came forward to defend a lawsuit by a group of medical professionals claiming that the fellowship program illegally excludes whites and Asian Americans.
- In a filing, Pfizer urged a Manhattan federal judge to reject Do No Harm’s request for an injunction against filling the 2023 class for its two-year Breakthrough Fellowship Program, which enrolls Blacks, Latinos, and Native Americans.
- It aims to enroll 100 fellows by 2025 as part of a nine-year commitment to boost minority representation, Reuters reported.
- “There exists a strong public policy in favor of voluntary affirmative action plans,” Pfizer said. “At a minimum, the public interest favors preserving the status quo.”
- Last month, Do No Harm said Pfizer’s program was “discriminatory on its face,” violating a federal ban on racial discrimination by companies that accept government healthcare reimbursements.
- Next week, the Supreme Court will consider the future of affirmative action in higher education as it hears arguments on race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina.
- Price Action: PFE shares are up 0.20% at $46.15 during the premarket session on the last check Thursday.
Wedbush Maintains Neutral on Twitter, Raises Price Target to $50
Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives maintains Twitter (NYSE:TWTR) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $30 to $50.
