Synthes Gets $21 Million In Damages In ProDisc Patent Case Vs Medtronic

**Justin** · 09-07-2009, 07:26 AM

Synthes Gets $21 Million In Damages In ProDisc Patent Case Vs Medtronic
September 07, 2009: 02

1 AM ET

ZURICH -(Dow Jones)- U.S.-based surgical implant and device maker Synthes Inc. (SYST.VX) said Monday it has been awarded a permanent injunction and $21 million in enhanced damages, interest and costs in the ProDisc patent case against Medtronic Inc. (MDT).

MAIN FACTS:

On August 26, 2009, the U.S. District Court in Memphis, TN, permanently enjoined Medtronic from infringing Synthes' U.S. Patent No. 6,936,071, covering Synthes' ProDisc-L artificial disc replacement device.
The Court also doubled Synthes' actual damages for the period until the end of 2008, with the total award now exceeding $21.0 million in damages, interest and costs.
In addition, the Court ruled that Synthes is entitled to an award of its attorneys' fees because of Medtronic's willful infringement.
In 2007, Synthes filed suit against Medtronic, asserting that their Maverick products infringe the '071 patent. In November 2008, a jury had reached a verdict that Medtronic willfully infringed the '071 patent by its manufacture and sale of the Maverick product lines. On August 19, 2009, the Court denied Medtronic's motion for a new trial. Medtronic is appealing these rulings to the U.S. Court of Appeals.
ProDisc-L is a total disc replacement device used to replace diseased vertebral discs in the lumbar spine. It was approved in 2006 by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for commercial sale in the U.S. and has since shown good clinical results.

Company Web Site: http://www.synthes.com

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