Judge: George F. Bird, Jr., Case: BC681477, Date: 2023-02-09 Tentative Ruling

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TENTATIVE RULINGS -- http://www.lacourt.org/tentativeRulingNet/ui/main.aspx?casetype=civil

Case Number: BC681477    Hearing Date: February 9, 2023    Dept: B

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES – SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT

 

GEORGE T. KELLY AND CHARLENE M. KELLY, individually; GEORGE T. KELLY AND CHARLENE M. KELLY, as Successors in Interest for Decedent George M. Kelly,

                        Plaintiffs,

            vs.

 

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES; KECK SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA; NEENA KAPOOR, M.D.; MICHAEL PULSIPHER, M.D.; HISHAM ABDEL-AZIM, M.D.; MELODY HSU, M.D.; RE ZAW, M.D.; ALICIA McFARRIN, M.D.; ANDREW C. DIETZ, M.D.; JILL HOFFMAN, M.D.; ANDREW DOAN, M.D.; ROBERTA KATO, M.D.; AJAY PERUMBETI, M.D.; MICHELLE GARCIA; JOSEPH CHURCH, M.D.; and DOES 1 through 100, inclusive,

 

                        Defendants.

 

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CASE NO: BC681477

 

[TENTATIVE] ORDER GRANTING BELLICUM’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

 

Dept. B

DATE: February 9, 2023

TIME:  8:30 A.M.

 

COMPLAINT FILED: October 27, 2017

TRIAL DATE: April 17, 2023

 

I.       BACKGROUND

             Plaintiffs are Marissa Kelly and Caroline Kelly (“Plaintiffs”), individually, and as the successors in interest of their brother, decedent George M. Kelly. The Fourth Amended Complaint states that George M. Kelly, a minor, suffered from Chronic Granulomatous Disease (“CGD”) which is a disorder of the leukocyte function which left George M. Kelly imuno-compromised. (Fourth Amended Complaint (“FAC”), ¶ 20.) As a result of his condition, George M. Kelly suffered from repeated infections and was hospitalized frequently. (FAC, ¶ 22.)

            In 2014, Bellicum (“Defendant”), a company engaged in the manufacture, production, packaging, marketing, sale, and distribution of pharmaceutical protocols, began a study titled “Phase II Extension Study of CaspaCIDe T Cells (BPX-501) From a HLA-partially Matched Family Donor After Negative Selection of TCR ab+T Cells in Pediatric Patients Affected by Hematological Disorders” referred to as BP-U-004 or BP-004U. (FAC, ¶¶ 6 footnote 2, 68; Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment (“D-MSJ”), p. 2:5-9.) Bellicum developed a protocol (the “Bellicum Protocol”) which was a “T-cell depleted” transplant procedure. (FAC, ¶ 25.) As explained by Defendant, strong doses of chemotherapy are given to patients before they undergo haemopoietic stem cell transplants. (D-MSJ, p. 2:21-24.) T-cells are beneficial for their potential to help the immune system recover faster, but there is an increased risk of Graft versus Host Disease (“GvHD”) which occurs when the T-cells attack the patient’s healthy cells. (Ibid.) the Bellicum Protocol includes the use of BPX-501 which are T-cells from a partially-matched donor and include a gene called caspase 9 so that the T-cells can be killed with a dose of rimiducid in the event of GvHD. (D-MSJ, p. 2-3:25-3.)  

            George M. Kelly underwent three bone marrow transplants, one of which involved the use of BPX-501, and all the transplants failed. George M. Kelly died on October 30, 2016, from encephalitis, Disseminated Fungal Disease, Chronic Granulomatous Disease, and Renal Failure. (FAC, ¶ 37.) Plaintiffs allege that Defendant’s product, BPX-501, was a direct cause of George M. Kelly’s death. (FAC, ¶ 139.)

            The only remaining causes of action alleged against Defendant are (1) breach of express warranty and (2) products liability – design or manufacturing defect. (See Notice of Ruling on Demurrers/Motions to Strike, May 19, 2022.)

 

II.       MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY ADJUDICATION

A.    Defendant filed the Motion on November 11, 2022.

            Defendant states that the purpose of the study involving the Bellicum Protocol and BPX-501, which is the study George M. Kelly participated in, was “to determine whether the infusion of donor cells modified by Bellicum’s BPX-501 product was safe and effective in improving immune reconstruction and potentially to reduce incidence and severity of acute graft-versus-host disease (“GvHD”).” (D-MSJ, p. 1:13-16.) Defendant states that George M. Kelly only received one infusion of BPX-501-modified donor cells after the first transplant on August 9, 2016, and by August 11, 2016, none of the BPX-501-modified donor cells were detected in George M. Kelly’s body. (D-MSJ, p.1:17-21.)

            Defendant states they submitted an Initial Investigational New Drug Application to the FDA consisting of an introductory statement, general investigation plan, the Investigator’s Brochure, Protocols, chemistry, manufacturing, control, pharmacology, and toxicology information in addition to previous human experience with the investigational drug. (D-MSJ, p. 3-4:18-5.) After 30 days, the Initial Investigational New Drug Application went into effect and the FDA continued to monitor the study. (D-MSJ, p. 4:6-11.) The Institutional Review Board at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles also monitored the study and reviewed the Investigator’s Brochure, Protocols, and informed consent forms for the Bellicum study. (D-MSJ, p. 5:2-22.)

            Defendant argues that George M. Kelly did not die from the single infusion of BPX-501-modified cells. (D-MSJ, p. 10:23-25.) Defendant points to the Declaration of Dr. Gale to support this argument. (D-MSJ, p. 11:1-5.) Defendant also argues that the lot of BPX-501 which was administered to George M. Kelly was subject to quality testing and did not contain a manufacturing defect. (D-MSJ, p. 12:10-20.) Defendant demonstrates that, with respect to pharmaceuticals, there is no strict liability for a design defect. (D-MSJ, p. 12:24-26.) Defendant argues that their compliance with the FDA regulations is prima facie evidence that the design and manufacture of BPX-501 met the standard of care and was not designed negligently. (D-MSJ, p. 14-15:25-3.) Finally, Defendant argues that the informed consent forms clearly demonstrate that the point of the study was to determine BPX-501’s safety and effectiveness, therefore it could not have been represented to Plaintiffs that BPX-501 was already safe and effective. (D-MSJ, 15-16:27-4.)

 

B.     Plaintiffs filed an opposition on January 30, 2023.

            Plaintiffs allege that their opposition was late due to computer and technology problems. (Opposition, p. 19:1-3.)  Because the court has discretion to consider late papers, the Court will consider this late opposition to dispose of this matter on the merits. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1300, subd. (d).)

            Plaintiffs make several arguments that Defendant’s evidence is not admissible and therefore cannot support this Motion for Summary Judgment. Plaintiffs argue that Defendant’s entire motion should fail because the evidence only relates to BPX-501 while the FAC alleges that the defective product is the Bellicum Protocol. (Opposition, p. 2:14-17.) Plaintiffs allege that Defendant has attempted to convince the court that the Bellicum Protocol cannot be a product on two prior demurrers and the court has rejected such arguments. (Opposition, p. 5:6-17.) Plaintiffs state that there is a triable issue of material fact whether improper approval of George M. Kelly to participate in the Bellicum Protocol caused George M. Kelly’s death. (Opposition, p. 6:1-3.) Plaintiffs contend that Defendant’s argument that BPX-501 was not present in George M. Kelly’s system as of August 11, 2016, is unsupported and does not overcome the assertion that the Bellicum Protocol, as a whole, caused the death of George M. Kelly. (Opposition, p. 7:11-19.)

            On the manufacturing defect cause of action, Plaintiffs argue that the Bellicum Protocol was distributed and used in its intended manner when it was proven to be unsafe, hazardous, and defective to George M. Kelly. (Opposition, p. 8-9:27-13.) On the design defect cause of action, Plaintiffs argue that the application of the consumer expectation test or the risk benefit test both allow Plaintiffs to demonstrate a design defect in the Bellicum Protocol. (Opposition, p. 11:12-18.) On the breach of express warranty cause of action, Plaintiffs argue that the informed consent form failed to disclose key risks of the study including serious GvHD and death. (Opposition, p. 15:24-27.)

 

C.     Defendant filed a reply on February 3, 2023.

            Defendant argues that the only product at issue here is BPX-501, not the Bellicum Protocol as a whole. Because BPX-501 is the only product at issue, Defendant argues that Plaintiffs’ evidence is insufficient to demonstrate that BPX-501 caused the death of George M. Kelly, that there were any manufacturing or design defects in BPX-501, and that there were any express warranties made about BPX-501 to Plaintiffs.

 

III.       EVIDENTIARY OBJECTIONS

            Plaintiffs’ submit 71 evidentiary objections to Defendant’s support for this Motion for Summary Judgment. The Court rules as follows:

            SUSTAINED: 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 40, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52(a), 52(b), 52(i), 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71

OVERRULED: 1, 2, 4, 7, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, 47, 52(c), 52(d), 52(e), 52(f), 52(g), 52(h)

 

Defendant submits 111 evidentiary objections to Plaintiffs’ evidence in opposition to this Motion for Summary Judgment. The Court rules as follows:

SUSTAINED: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. Objections to the declaration of Michael Tirgan M.D. paragraphs 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 41, 42, 44, 46, 47, 48, 54, 55.

OVERRULED: None

UNDECIDED: Objection 18 says “BLANK”

 

IV.       LEGAL STANDARDS

            The purpose of a motion for summary judgment “is to provide courts with a mechanism to cut through the parties’ pleadings in order to determine whether, despite their allegations, trial is in fact necessary to resolve their dispute.”  (Aguilar v. Atl. Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826, 843.)  “Code of Civil Procedure section 437c, subdivision (c), requires the trial judge to grant summary judgment if all the evidence submitted, and ‘all inferences reasonably deducible from the evidence’ and uncontradicted by other inferences or evidence, show that there is no triable issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.”  (Adler v. Manor Healthcare Corp. (1992) 7 Cal.App.4th 1110, 1119.)  

            “On a motion for summary judgment, the initial burden is always on the moving party to make a prima facie showing that there are no triable issues of material fact.”  (Scalf v. D. B. Log Homes, Inc. (2005) 128 Cal.App.4th 1510, 1519.)  A defendant moving for summary judgment “has met his or her burden of showing that a cause of action has no merit if the party has shown that one or more elements of the cause of action . . . cannot be established.”  (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c(p)(2).)  “Once the defendant . . . has met that burden, the burden shifts to the plaintiff . . . to show that a triable issue of one or more material facts exists as to the cause of action or a defense thereto.”  (Id.)  “If the plaintiff cannot do so, summary judgment should be granted.”  (Avivi v. Centro Medico Urgente Med. Ctr. (2008) 159 Cal.App.4th 463, 467.)  

            “When deciding whether to grant summary judgment, the court must consider all of the evidence set forth in the papers (except evidence to which the court has sustained an objection), as well as all reasonable inferences that may be drawn from that evidence, in the light most favorable to the party opposing summary judgment.”  (Avivi, supra, 159 Cal.App.4th at p. 467; see also Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (c).) 

            Under the Code of Civil Procedure section 473c, subdivision (f)(1), the court may grant a motion for summary adjudication only as to “one or more causes of action within an action, one or more affirmative defenses, one or more claims for damages, or one or more issues of duty. . . .”  Because Plaintiffs allege two causes of action and Defendant brings this Motion for Summary Judgment on both causes of action, the Court may grant summary adjudication separately as to each cause of action.

 

V.       DISCUSSION

A.    Product at issue.

            Defendant argues that the only product at issue here is BPX-501. Defendant references the FAC which states, “The defendant knew or should have known that their design and distribution of this product, BPX-501, was harmful ….” (FAC, ¶ 12.)  Plaintiffs repeat this same sentence in the FAC at paragraph 134. Counsel for Defendant also submits a copy of Plaintiffs responses to special interrogatories which identifies the product for the products liability claim as BPX-501 but not the Bellicum Protocol. (Supplemental Declaration of Matthew L. Marshall, ¶¶ 5, 6, Exhibit 36, Exhibit 37.)

            Plaintiffs argue that the court already determined that the Bellicum Protocol is a product by allowing the claim to proceed after a demurrer was brought. This is incorrect. A demurrer simply tests the allegations in the pleading and assumes the truth of the matters asserted. (Olson v. Hornbrook Community Services Dist. (2019) 33 Cal.App.5th 502, 516.) Plaintiffs asserted that the Bellicum Protocol was a product in the Complaint and thus the demurrer was overruled. The demurrer did not make any determination as to the validity of the assertion that the Bellicum Protocol was a product.

            Based on the foregoing, the Court finds that the product at issue is BPX-501 and not the Bellicum Protocol.

 

B.     Products liability for a manufacturing defect – Defendant’s burden.

            To demonstrate a cause of action for products liability based on a manufacturing defect, a plaintiff must show 1) the defendant manufactured, distributed, or sold the product; 2) the product contained a manufacturing defect; and 3) the defect was a substantial factor in harm caused to the plaintiff. (CACI 1201.) “A product has a manufacturing defect if it ‘differs from the manufacturer's intended result or from other ostensibly identical units of the same product line.” (Barker, supra, at p. 429, 143 Cal.Rptr. 225, 573 P.2d 443.)” (Johnson v. United States Steel Corp. (2015) 240 Cal.App.4th 22, 32 [192 Cal.Rptr.3d 158, 165].) A manufacturing defect “focuses on whether the particular product involved in the accident was manufactured in conformity with the manufacturer's design.” (Dierks v. Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (1989) 208 Cal.App.3d 352, 355 [256 Cal.Rptr. 230, 231].)

            Defendant first argues that there is no evidence of a manufacturing defect in the BPX-501 used on George M. Kelly. It is an undisputed material fact between the parties that “The Certificate of Analysis for Lot Number 004-015-004-1018 indicates that the BPX-501 that was administered in the Study to the Decedent passed all Quality Testing before it was released for distribution.” (Undisputed Material Facts, ¶ 94.)

            Defendant also argues that Plaintiffs fail to demonstrate that any alleged defect in BPX-501 was the cause of the harm to George M. Kelly. Defendant relies on the declaration of Dr. Robert Gale which states, “I opine, based on the data I reviewed and considered, to a reasonable degree of medical probability, Mr. Kelly’s death on October 30, 2016 from disseminated fungal disease was not a result of his participation in the Bellicum Study or the infusion of the genetically-modified BPX-501 cells he received on August 9, 2016. Rather. it was a result of his receiving three unsuccessful haematopoietic cell transplants. Also, my opinion that BPX-501, the Bellicum product, did not increase his risk of fungal infection is concordant with that of the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Institutional Review Board which did not consider receipt of BPX-501 to be associated with an increased risk of infection.” (Dr. Gale Decl., ¶ 69.)

            Defendant has satisfied their burden by demonstrating that their product was of the same quality as the other units in the product line and that BPX-501 did not cause the harm to George M. Kelly. The burden now shifts to Plaintiffs to demonstrate a triable issue of material fact.

 

C.     Products liability for a manufacturing defect – Plaintiffs’ burden.

            Plaintiffs rely on the declaration of Dr. Tirgan which states “The defects in design and manufacturing of Bellicum’s products was the immediate and direct cause of GMK’s death, as their own protocol precluded him from participating in their study.” (Dr. Tirgan Decl., ¶ 54.) An objection has been sustained to this evidence and the court cannot consider it as support for Plaintiffs’ argument. Such a conclusion also does not demonstrate a manufacturing defect of BPX-501. A manufacturing defect alleges that a product differs from the intended result or from identical units from the same line. (Johnson v. United States Steel Corp., supra, 240 Cal.App.4th at p. 32.) This statement, even if it were admissible, does not counter the quality testing evidence presented which Plaintiffs do not dispute. (Undisputed Material Facts, ¶ 94.)

            Additionally, even if the court were considering the Bellicum Protocol a product, Plaintiffs are not alleging that the Bellicum Protocol is incorrectly manufactured for patients who meet the inclusion criteria; Rather, Plaintiffs are arguing that the Bellicum Protocol is correctly manufactured to have excluded George M. Kelly, but he was improperly included into the Bellicum Protocol.

            Finally, Plaintiffs fail to offer evidence that BPX-501 caused the harm to George M. Kelly. Plaintiffs only offer arguments relating to how the Bellicum Protocol lead to the death of George M. Kelly. Because the Bellicum Protocol is not at issue here, Plaintiffs fail to meet their burden.

            Based on the foregoing, summary adjudication is GRANTED as to the cause of action for products liability based on a manufacturing defect.

 

D.    Products liability based on a design defect – Defendant’s burden.

            While some design defects warrant strict liability, the Supreme Court of California concluded that “a drug manufacturer's liability for a defectively designed drug should not be measured by the standards of strict liability….” (Brown v. Superior Court (1988) 44 Cal.3d 1049, 1061 [245 Cal.Rptr. 412, 418, 751 P.2d 470, 477].) “The test of negligent design ‘involves a balancing of the likelihood of harm to be expected from a machine with a given design and the gravity of harm if it happens against the burden of the precaution which would be effective to avoid the harm.’ [Citation.]” (Merrill v. Navegar, Inc. (2001) 26 Cal.4th 465, 479 [110 Cal.Rptr.2d 370, 381, 28 P.3d 116, 125].) The theory of a design defect “focuses upon … whether the risk of danger inherent in the design outweighed the benefits of the design.” (Dierks v. Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (1989) 208 Cal.App.3d 352, 354–355 [256 Cal.Rptr. 230, 231].) This is often referred to as the risk-benefit test.

            Defendant argues that Plaintiffs cannot demonstrate a design defect under the risk-benefit test because Defendant complied with the FDA statutory requirements to have the clinical trial of BPX-501 approved. The declaration of Dr. Scripture states, “Federal regulations require certain information and documentation to be included in every IND. This information and documentation includes but is not limited to an introductory statement and general investigational plan; the Investigator’s Brochure (“IB”); the Protocol(s); chemistry, manufacturing, and control information; pharmacology and toxicology information; and previous human experiences with the investigational drug. See 21 CFR Sec. 312.23. These materials were provided by Bellicum in the IND.” (Dr. Scripture Decl., p. 5:1-7.) Code of Federal Regulations section 312.23, referenced by Dr. Scripture, details the form and content required for an IND submitted to the FDA for a clinical investigation. Additionally, Dr. Scripture states, “Bellicum also provided annual reports to the FDA from which the FDA continued to assess the risk benefit profile for BPX-501 based on emerging study data.” (Dr. Scripture Decl., p. 7:9-10.)

            “Where the evidence shows no unusual circumstances, but only the ordinary situation contemplated by the statute or administrative rule, then ‘the minimum standard prescribed by the legislation or regulation may be accepted by the triers of fact, or by the court as a matter of law, as sufficient for the occasion….’ [Citations.]” (Ramirez v. Plough, Inc. (1993) 6 Cal.4th 539, 548 [25 Cal.Rptr.2d 97, 863 P.2d 167].) Defendant has demonstrated traditional circumstances in applying for a clinical trial through the FDA who then assessed and continued to approve the risk/benefit analysis for the BPX-501 clinical trial.

            Defendant has satisfied their burden by demonstrating that Plaintiffs cannot establish the risks of the design outweighed the benefits. The burden now shifts to Plaintiffs to demonstrate a triable issue of material fact.  

 

E.     Products liability based on a design defect – Plaintiffs’ burden.

            Plaintiffs fail to demonstrate that the risk of BPX-501 outweighs the benefits of the clinical trial. Plaintiffs only address the Bellicum Protocol and fail to offer any evidence pertaining to BPX-501. While Plaintiffs argue that Defendant failed to comply with the Bellicum Protocol submitted to the FDA, this argument does not focus on the risk-benefit analysis of BPX-501.

            Plaintiffs argue that they can use an alternative test called ‘the consumer expectation test’ which requires a plaintiff to show that a product did not perform as safely as an ordinary consumer would have expected it to perform when used. (Trejo v. Johnson & Johnson (2017) 13 Cal.App.5th 110, 157 [220 Cal.Rptr.3d 127].) Defendant argues that Plaintiffs cannot use the consumer expectation test. In Trejo, the Court of Appeal expressed that “‘The critical question, in assessing the applicability of the consumer expectation test, is not whether the product, when considered in isolation, is beyond the ordinary knowledge of the consumer, but whether the product, in the context of the facts and circumstances of its failure, is one about which the ordinary consumers can form minimum safety expectations.’ [Citation.]” (Trejo v. Johnson & Johnson, supra, 13 Cal.App.5th at p. 156.) “[W]hen the ultimate issue of design defect calls for a careful assessment of feasibility, practicality, risk, and benefit, the case should not be resolved simply on the basis of ordinary consumer expectations.…” (Internal quotations omitted.) (Id. at 157.)

            Here, the ordinary consumer cannot determine the minimum safety expectations for BPX-501 in the context of the clinical trial. The FDA is in charge of approving and monitoring clinical trials because the safety expectations are complex and beyond what an ordinary consumer can determine. The approvals for a clinical trial involve the careful assessment of feasibility, practicality, risk, and benefit that the Court of Appeal determined should prevent the application of the consumer expectation test. (Ibid.) Based on the foregoing, Plaintiffs cannot rely on the consumer expectation test to demonstrate a design defect in BPX-501.

            Plaintiffs fail to satisfy their burden to demonstrate a triable issue of material fact of a design defect.

            Based on the foregoing, summary adjudication is GRANTED as to the cause of action for products liability based on a design defect.

 

F.      Breach of express warranty – Defendant’s burden.

            To sustain a cause of action for breach of express warranty, a plaintiff must demonstrate (1) a seller's statement that constitutes an affirmation of fact or promise or a description of the goods; (2) the statement was part of the basis of the bargain; and (3) the warranty was breached. (Weinstat v. Dentsply Internat., Inc. (2010) 180 Cal.App.4th 1213, 1227 [103 Cal.Rptr.3d 614, 626].)

            Defendant argues that the representation made to Plaintiffs through the informed consent process demonstrated that the study was investigating the safety and effectiveness of BPX-501 and because of this Plaintiffs cannot demonstrate a promise that BPX-501 was safe and effective. The Declaration of Dr. Scripture states, “The BP-U-004 Informed Consent described the two primary purposes of the Study, which were to determine the largest dose of genetically modified T-cells that can help to recover the immune system without causing serious GvHD (Phase 1) and how effective the maximum tolerated dose of genetically modified T-cells is in preventing GVHD while helping to recover the immune system. (Phase 2).” (Dr. Scripture Decl. p. 11:13-16.) This demonstrates that the study was investigating effectiveness of BPX-501 and the largest does of T-cells that can be administered “without causing serious GvHD,” indicating that the current level of safe T-cells was unknown, and the study was attempting to determine a safe range. Defendant has presented sufficient evidence to demonstrate that Plaintiffs will be unable to demonstrate an express warranty of safety and efficacy of BPX-501. Plaintiffs must now demonstrate a triable issue of material fact concerning the breach of an express warranty.

 

G.    Breach of an express warranty – Plaintiffs’ burden.

            Plaintiffs fail to address the alleged representation that BPX-501 was safe and effective and instead argue that the representations were incomplete by failing to list all of the potential risks of the Bellicum Protocol.  

            “To establish the existence of an express warranty, a plaintiff must point to a specific and unequivocal written statement.” (Internal quotations omitted.) (Watkins v. MGA Entertainment, Inc. (N.D. Cal. 2021) 574 F.Supp.3d 747, 756.) Plaintiffs cannot establish a claim for breach of an express warranty by arguing that certain warranties were not made. Plaintiffs fail to identify an express warranty made by Defendant about BPX-501 and thus fails to demonstrate a triable issue of material fact.

            Based on the foregoing, summary adjudication is GRANTED as to the cause of action for breach of express warranty.

            Because all causes of action alleged by Plaintiffs against Defendant fail and are subject to summary adjudication, summary judgment is GRANTED in favor of Defendant.

 

VI.       CONCLUSION

            This Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED.

 

 

Dated: January 9, 2023                                                         ________________________

                                                                                                Judge of the Superior Court