Kinetic Concepts wins patent infringement case

Mar 11 2010

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE: KCI) today announced that a United States District Court jury has found that a negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) product marketed and sold by Smith & Nephew plc (NYSE: SNN) infringes two patents owned by Wake Forest University Health Sciences, which are exclusively licensed to KCI.

The jury held that each of the patents in the case are valid and has awarded KCI and Wake Forest damages related to the infringement. KCI will be seeking an injunction in the United States District Court in post-trial proceedings to prevent further infringement by Smith & Nephew.

“And for the nearly 7,000 people of KCI, this decision reinforces the purpose and promise of the innovative spirit. For KCI, it is that spirit — combined with our unparalleled clinical expertise — that produces the superior outcomes that differentiate KCI from the competition.”

“The outcome of this trial exemplifies the protections provided to innovators like Wake Forest and KCI under the U.S. patent system,” said Catherine M. Burzik, KCI’s president and chief executive officer. “And for the nearly 7,000 people of KCI, this decision reinforces the purpose and promise of the innovative spirit. For KCI, it is that spirit — combined with our unparalleled clinical expertise — that produces the superior outcomes that differentiate KCI from the competition.”

KCI’s Negative Pressure Wound Therapy solutions are offered through the company’s Active Healing Solutions™ unit, which continues to expand its Negative Pressure Technology Platform while entering new global markets.