Law360 quotes James C. Shehan in an article discussing the likelihood of an increase in litigation against U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) policies should the Hon. Brett Kavanaugh of the U.S. Court of the Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit be confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Kavanaugh has criticized the Supreme Court’s Chevron doctrine, which mandates judicial deference to reasonable administrative agency interpretations of ambiguous federal laws, as enabling agencies to “stretch the meaning of statutes.” Shehan predicts that a shift by the Court on Chevron will spark more lawsuits against the FDA. He notes that while Chevron may still inspire judicial deference in cases involving complex scientific matters, any lessening of deference more generally would diminish the FDA’s authority. (subscription required to access article)

4-traders.com and StreetInsider.com note Lowenstein Sandler as legal co-counsel with Gracin & Marlow, LLP to Aravive Biologics, Inc. in connection with its merger with a wholly owned subsidiary of Versartis, Inc. in an all-stock transaction (Lowenstein deal team: Alan Wovsaniker and Andrew E. Graw).

Modern Healthcare quotes James C. Shehan, Head of Lowenstein’s FDA Regulatory Practice, on how the FDA’s new Medical Device Safety Action Plan will fill gaps in device regulation and may portend further FDA action in other areas.

Steven M. Skolnick and Michael Lerner are highlighted in Law360 regarding their representation of Motus GI Holdings, Inc. and its successful IPO.