AGA Medical Holdings, Inc. (AGA Medical) today announced the completion of the first phase of a litigation between AGA Medical and Medtronic, Inc., in which a California jury returned a verdict that some of AGA Medical's products infringed some of the claims of patents held by Medtronic, and that these patents have not been proven invalid over prior art.
A second, non-jury phase of the trial dealing with other issues of invalidity and unenforceability of the Medtronic patents, which could affect the final outcome, has been scheduled for later this year. The damages awarded in the jury's verdict were about half of what Medtronic had originally sought.
In addition, an unrelated case that is currently pending at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit involves issues that may significantly reduce AGA Medical's liability and any potential damages awarded in this case.
“While we are disappointed with this interim result, AGA Medical will continue to vigorously defend the case,” said John Barr, president and chief executive officer of AGA Medical.