Cook to pursue further infringement action against Edwards Lifesciences

US-based medical device company Cook has announced that as part of its global effort to protect its extensive intellectual property portfolio, it will appeal promptly an initial ruling by the District Court of Dusseldorf, Germany denying the company’s claim that Edwards Lifesciences is infringing Cook’s German patent for transcatheter valve technology.

Cook has filed the action in February 2008, claiming that the Sapien THV valve made by Edwards infringes Cook’s German patent. Despite the German court ruling, the company remains convinced that the Edwards product infringes Cook’s.

In addition, Cook legal counsel stressed that the company is committed to establishing and defending its patent rights in this field of medical technology on a global basis.

Cynthia Kretz, general counsel of Cook, said: We are confident that the District Court’s first instance decision will be corrected on appeal. We believe that the first instance decision relies upon an improper interpretation of our patented technology and remain confident that a proper interpretation encompasses the Edwards product.

Protecting Cook’s extensive intellectual property concerning transcatheter valve technology is a priority to the company’s mission, and we will vigorously pursue all options.

Cook developes healthcare devices and is focused on endovascular therapy, critical care medicine, general surgery, diagnostic and interventional procedures, bioengineered tissue replacement and regeneration, gastroenterology and endoscopy procedures, urology, and obstetrics and gynecology related medical devices.