Judge extends Purdue Pharma’s mediation as parties approach possible deal

Ayden Crosby

31 October 2024•1 min read

Judge Sean Lane granted Purdue Pharma’s request to extend its mediation efforts and the accompanying injunction on lawsuits against the Sacklers and other third parties until 4 December as parties have made “substantial” progress on a new reorganization plan.

In a hearing today in New York’s Southern District, Judge Lane cited progress made on reaching a settlement and the importance of maintaining parties’ full attention on mediation efforts — as opposed to potential third party litigation — as reasons for extending the mediation period and injunction.

He also said the case’s “exceeding” complexity makes it difficult to conclude that the amount of time being requested was at all unreasonable.

At the outset of the hearing, retired judge and co-mediator Shelley Chapman gave the court a status update on the discussions, disclosing that many critical threshold matters had already been resolved, and that there had been “substantial and meaningful movement by certain key parties” on reaching a deal.

“The remaining open issues in our view are resolvable,” she said.

The extension is the third secured by Purdue as parties work to decide on a new reorganization plan after the Supreme Court struck down its use of third party release on 27 June.

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