IP Watch

BUSINESS NEWS

In late September, a federal jury in Boston ordered Medtronic (Minneapolis) to pay $226.3 million to DePuy Spine (Raynham, MA), a division of Johnson & Johnson. The jury found that Medtronic's Vertex line of multiaxial pedicle screws infringes a patent licensed to DePuy. Following the verdict, Medtronic noted that the decision is not yet final and is subject to posttrial rulings on certain defenses. When and if the judgment is entered by the court, Medtronic reports that it will appeal.

CryoCath Technologies (Montreal) has filed suit against CryoCor (San Diego) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint, which seeks injunctive relief, charges CryoCor with infringement of several of CryoCath's U.S. patents related to console systems. CryoCor intends to defend itself against all allegations.

Cytomedix (Rockville, MD) has entered into a licensing agreement with Smith & Nephew (Memphis). Under the agreement, Cytomedix has granted to Smith & Nephew a license under its key patent for applications of its autologous platelet releasate therapy, except for use in the chronic-wound market.