Oncology-Hematology Associates of Central Illinois P.C. v. Genentech, Inc.

Filing 14

OPINION AND ORDER by Judge Terence Kern - granting OHACI's Motion to Reconsider dismissal of its claims, this case is remanded to U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois (Peoria), remanding case, reopening case (Re: 13 Notice (Other) ) (lmc, Chambers)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA
IN RE: GENENTECH HERCEPTIN
(TRASTUZUMAB) MARKETING
AND SALES PRACTICES LITIGATION

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MDL DOCKET NO. 16-MD-2700

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ONCOLOGY-HEMATOLOGY
ASSOCIATES OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS,
P.C., an Illinois corporation,
Plaintiff,
vs.
GENENTECH, INC., a Delaware corporation,
Defendant.

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Case No. 17-cv-394-TCK-JFJ

OPINION AND ORDER
Before the Court is the Motion to Reconsider the Dismissal of Case No. 4:17-CV-394 filed
by Plaintiff Oncology-Hematology Associates of Central Illinois, P.C. (“OHACI”). Doc. 393.
Defendant Genentech, Inc. (“Genentech”) opposes the motion. Doc. 405.
OHACI filed suit against Genentech on June 14, 2017 in the U.S. District Court for the
Central District of Illinois (Peoria). The case was docketed as Case No. 17-cv-1279. Genentech
was served shortly after the filing.
On July 6, 2017, a Conditional Transfer Order was entered, resulting in the transfer of the
case to this Court, to be included with a number of other cases as part of this Multidistrict Litigation
case against Genentech. OHACI’s case was docketed by this Court as Case No. 4:17-cv-394 (the
“OHACI Case”).

At the time the OHACI Case has added to the MDL Case, Genentech had already filed its
Amended Motion for Summary Judgment Based on Federal Preemption. Doc Nos. 200, 201.
Because OHACI’s case had yet not been conditionally transferred at the time the Amended Motion
for Summary Judgment was filed, the motion was not directed at OHACI’s complaint. Id.
On July 24, 2017, this Court entered an order in the MDL Case staying Defendant’s
obligation to respond to the Complaint recently filed by OHACI and any subsequent complaints
pending a ruling on Genentech, Inc.’s Amended Motion for Summary Judgment, and stating, “If
the case proceeds past Phase I, the Court will lift the stay at that time.” Id., Doc. 235. Thus,
although OHACI actively participated with other plaintiffs in opposing Genentech’s summary
judgment motion, Genentech never filed an answer to OHACI’s Complaint, nor did it file any
dispositive motion with respect to the Complaint.
On March 20, 2019, the Court entered its Opinion and Order in the MDL case granting
Genentech’s Motion for Summary Judgment. Id., Doc. 389. The same date, pursuant to the
granting of the summary judgment motion in the MDL case, the Court terminated all of the
individual cases against Genentech, including the OHACI Case. 17-CV-394.
The Court concurs with OHACI that since Genentech’s Motion for Summary Judgment
did not name OHACI, its case was improperly dismissed. However, the Court’s decision has
precedential effect, as will the appellate court’s decision on the other plaintiffs’ appeal of the
decision.
Accordingly, the Court hereby grants OHACI’s Motion to Reconsider dismissal of its
claims and Case No. 17-CV-394, which was previously closed, is hereby reopened and remanded
to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois (Peoria).

ENTERED this 29th day of October, 2019.