Mo. Federal Judge Remands Multi-Plaintiff Invokana Action to State Court, Finds No Fraudulent Joinder

ST. LOUIS — A Missouri federal judge has remanded a multi-plaintiff Invokana case, rejecting the defendants’ argument that the non-Missouri citizens were fraudulently joined because they cannot establish personal jurisdiction under Missouri law.

In a May 26 order, Judge Ronnie White of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri explained that courts in the district have consistently held that an alleged lack of personal jurisdiction does not establish fraudulent joinder. The judge left the question of personal jurisdiction for the state court to resolve.

In October 26 plaintiffs sued Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., Johnson & Johnson and Mitsubishi …