Healthcare Industry News: Cardiovascular Systems
News Release - April 24, 2007
Medtronic Responds to ''Inequitable Conduct'' Decision by U.S. District Court in Stent Litigation
Medtronic Will Appeal Ruling to Federal Circuit Court of AppealsMINNEAPOLIS--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Today, the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware ruled that Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Guidant Corporation which is now owned by Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT ), did not commit "inequitable conduct" in obtaining the Lau stent patents. The District Court's ruling completes the liability phase of the patent infringement proceeding brought by Guidant against Medtronic Vascular, while the damages phase remains to be conducted. Medtronic (NYSE:MDT ) will appeal these findings of liability to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.
Today's decision has no bearing on the ongoing reexamination of the Lau patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In February 2006, the USPTO granted Medtronic's Request for Reexamination for each of the four Lau patents, finding that "substantial questions exist" regarding the validity of the Lau patent claims in view of prior art submitted by Medtronic with its Request for Reexamination. The USPTO is now considering whether the Lau patents should have been granted in the first instance. Until this reexamination is concluded, its potential impact upon the claims relating to the Lau patents remains unknown.
About Medtronic
Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.
Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended April 28, 2006. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.
Source: Medtronic
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