Cook Medical Suing Endologix for Patent Infringement

News release below. If you have read this blog long enough there’s quite a bit of information relative to Cook and their pulmonary medical devices and stents. Not only in devices, but also in drugs we are seeing many patent challenges/infringements taking place, as with Merck and Teva battling over Singulair. BD

Cook Sues Endologix For Patent Infringement Over Aortic Aneurysm Endograft Technology

Bloomington, Ind., October 8, 2009 – In a move aimed at protecting its worldwide market-leading technology for endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms (EVAR), Cook Incorporated has filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, against Endologix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ELGX) claiming infringement of two critical patents for endovascular stent-grafts.

“Cook has clearly established itself as the world leader in developing advanced endovascular technologies to treat aortic aneurysms and dissections, and this suit seeks to protect that position from damages caused by Endologix's infringement of U.S. Patents No. 5,755,777 and No. 5,035,706,” said Cook general counsel Cynthia Kretz. “As part of our vigorous defense of out patent portfolio in this area, Cook has asked the U.S. District Court to enjoin Endologix from selling all products infringing on these patents and to award Cook damages adequate to compensate for the infringement, including interest and costs.”

The suit was filed Tuesday, October 6 and asks that a jury trial be held to determine the outcome of the complaint. The two patents in question are critical for Cook's leadership in the EVAR field.

The `777 Patent protects Cook's technology for its “Expandable Transluminal Graft Prosthesis for Repair of Aneurysms,” and was awarded on May 26, 1998. The `706 Patent covers Cook's “Percutaneous Stent and Method of Retrieval Thereof,” and was granted on July 30, 1991.