Healthcare Industry News: negative pressure wound
News Release - April 9, 2007
Medela to Aggressively Enter Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Market after Judge Upholds Non-Patent Infringement Verdict
Medela determined to offer greater choice to patients and healthcare providersZUG, Switzerland--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Medela Holding AG announced that Judge Royal Ferguson of the U.S. Federal District Court for the West District of Texas upheld the August 3, 2006 jury verdict that the combination of the Medela-manufactured Vario 18 (resold as Versatile 1) constant-intermittent aspirator and Chariker-Jeter type dressing materials did not infringe on patents held by Kinetic Concepts Inc. (NYSE:KCI ) for a similar device.
"Medela is very excited about the verdict, as the final judgment by the court clearly supports Medela's position that we did not infringe upon KCI. This decision allows Medela to quickly enter the negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) marketplace, where we are committed to improving the health and well-being of patients and providing competitive, high quality, research-based products for healthcare providers. Medela has a longstanding history of innovation and we are continually exploring ways to improve the lives of patients worldwide," said, Urs Tanner, board member, Medela Holding AG.
Medela's Vario 18 is an electrical and battery powered suction pump used for wound healing by applying negative pressure to the wound site and continually draining away wound effluent and infectious materials. Medela is in the process of launching its own NWPT system in the second quarter for 2007.
Mr. Tanner concluded, "Hopefully, today's decision will settle this matter and allow both companies to move forward. However, should this not be the case within a short timeframe, Medela will seriously consider challenging KCI's patents in the U.S. and worldwide.
About Medela:
Medela, a privately-held company, operates in the field of Medical Technology and Breastfeeding for use by patients and healthcare professionals across a wide range of therapies and care settings. Medela focuses on providing research based innovations for its customers. Medela, headquartered in Switzerland, serves customers through its 12 subsidiaries and a worldwide network of distribution partners in more than 90 countries. For more information, visit http://www.medelasuction.com/ or http://www.medela.com/
Source: Medela Holding
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