Occlutech Prevails in U.K. Patent Appeal by AGA Medical
By Occlutech Gmbh, PRNEWednesday, June 23, 2010
JENA, Germany, June 24, 2010 - In 2009 the Patents Court of the High Court, Chancery Division, decided
that Occlutech's range of Figulla ASD and PFO occluders do not infringe the
U.K. part of European Patent 0 808 138. AGA Medical decided to appeal against
this decision. The U.K. Court of Appeal (civil division) in London announced
its decision confirming that said Figulla ASD and PFO occluders do not
infringe said patent.
AGA asked for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court (formerly called
the House of Lords), but that application was refused. It is now open to AGA
to make an application direct to the Supreme Court for permission to appeal,
but permission is granted only sparingly, such as in cases that involve a
point of law of general public importance.
Tor Peters, CEO of Occlutech says; "We are very happy with the courts
decision that again brings clarity to Occlutech's position that our unique
patented braiding technology is fundamentally different from the old
technology. The flexibility and versatility of our products and the
innovative delivery systems have helped us obtain market leading positions in
several markets and we intend to expand this position over the next years."
Occlutech is a private company with R&D and manufacturing activities in
several European countries. Founded in 2003, the company sells its innovative
ASD and PFO occluders in over 40 countries, except Germany.
Occlusion devices are used to treat structural heart disease,
including structural heart defects and abnormalities such as Atrial Septal
Defects, (ASD), and Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO, an undesired channel between
the heart's two atria, present in up to 25% of the population), in minimally
invasive, non-surgical procedures. The market for PFO occluders is expected
to expand significantly as the link between PFO and stroke, that is the third
most common cause of death, as well as severe migraine becomes increasingly
well documented.
Tor Peters info@occlutech.de Tel: +49-3641-67-51-29 Katrin Biedermann katrin.biedermann@occlutech.de Tel.: +49-3641-67-51-20
Tor Peters, info at occlutech.de, Tel: +49-3641-67-51-29; Katrin Biedermann, katrin.biedermann at occlutech.de, Tel.: +49-3641-67-51-20
Tags: Germany, Jena, June 24, Occlutech GmbH