SAN FRANCISCO — A big chunk—possibly every dollar—of a $400 million jury award against a Swiss pharmaceutical company is likely to withstand appeal, judging from arguments before the First District on Thursday.

A three-judge panel sounded ready to sign off on a San Mateo jury’s finding that Actelion tortiously interfered with development of a rival company’s drug for treating a fatal disease, as well as the jury’s award of $358 million in lost profits.