Arthrex Ordered to Stop Selling Infringing Products

ANDOVER, Mass., Oct. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Smith & Nephew (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN), the global medical technology business, announces that the U.S. District Court in Oregon issued significant rulings in its favor in the patent infringement case (U.S. Patent 5,601,557) with Arthrex, Inc. (Naples, Fla.).

As part of the ruling the Court has ordered Arthrex to stop selling its Bio-SutureTak and PEEK SutureTak products in the U.S. as of yesterday, October 2, 2013.

The patent covers technology used in certain Smith & Nephew anchors (such as BIORAPTOR™ Suture Anchors, FOOTPRINT™ Ultra PK, and OSTEORAPTOR™) used primarily in surgical repair of the shoulder.  In June 2011, a jury found that Arthrex's Bio-SutureTak, PEEK SutureTak, and certain Bio-PushLock and PEEK PushLock suture anchors infringe the patent owned by Dr. John O. Hayhurst (Portland, Ore.) and under exclusive license to Smith & Nephew.

"Smith & Nephew is dedicated to providing innovative healthcare products and services to our surgeon customers and their patients, and we will vigorously defend our intellectual property when warranted," commented Mike Frazzette, President, Advanced Surgical Devices Division, Smith & Nephew.

About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business dedicated to helping improve people's lives. With leadership positions in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Advanced Wound Management, Sports Medicine and Trauma, Smith & Nephew has around 11,000 employees and a presence in more than 90 countries. Annual sales in 2012 were more than $4.1 billion. Smith & Nephew is a member of the FTSE100 (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN).

For more information about Smith & Nephew, please visit:  www.smith-nephew.com

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SOURCE Smith & Nephew