Gritstone Executives Escape Investors’ Covid Vaccine Suit (1)

Two executives of bankrupted Gritstone Bio Inc. defeated shareholder allegations that they overhyped its ability to launch a government-funded study of its potential Covid-19 vaccine.

CEO Andrew Allen was more likely focused on the bigger picture of putting together the study of the candidate vaccine’s efficacy than intentionally or recklessly concealing from investors third-party manufacturing problems that would prevent its start, said Judge Charles R. Breyer as he tossed the lawsuit.

Investors didn’t sufficiently link testimony from a director of quality assurance to Allen in efforts to establish the former Gritstone executive knew or should’ve known about those contractors’ noncompliance ...