Angiotech receives favourable patent decision from New Zealand

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it received a favourable decision from the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand regarding an attempt by Johnson & Johnson's subsidiary, Conor Medsystems Inc. ("Conor") to revoke Angiotech's New Zealand Patent 523799, which pertains to compositions comprising a polymer and paclitaxel, as well as, generally, to paclitaxel-eluting stents.

In a decision dated September 10, 2007, the Assistant Commissioner of Patents dismissed Conor's application for revocation.

"Consistent with virtually all international rulings to date, this decision further corroborates the strength of our intellectual property and our ability to defend our global patent portfolio," said Dr. William Hunter, President and CEO of Angiotech.