The Court upheld valid claims of two KCI patents

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE: KCI) today announced that the Court of Appeal of England and Wales has upheld the validity of important claims of two KCI patents relating to negative pressure wound therapy ("NPWT"). The Court also found that NPWT products marketed by Smith & Nephew plc ("SNN") infringe one of the patents.

“Patient outcomes and safety remain our primary focus. We're committed to helping our UK customers immediately transition from infringing products to V.A.C.® Therapy.”

In June 2010, the High Court of Justice Chancery Division, Patents Court found that SNN's Renasys NPWT products infringe valid claims of two KCI patents. Today's ruling upholds the High Court's ruling as it related to infringement of an important claim of European Patent No. 0853950. The form of the injunction, damages and allocation of costs will be considered in the coming weeks.

"This isn't just a victory for KCI, it is also a victory for patients and the health care community that benefit from safe, clinically proven products," said Mike Genau, global president of KCI's Active Healing Solutions™ business. "Patient outcomes and safety remain our primary focus. We're committed to helping our UK customers immediately transition from infringing products to V.A.C.^® Therapy."

Source: Kinetic Concepts, Inc.