Covidien Launches Improved Magellan Safety Hypodermic Needle

“We are transitioning to the new and improved Magellan Safety Needle technology as part of our strong and ongoing commitment to meeting the safety needs of our customers,” said Jeff Hunt, president, Patient Care and Safety Products, Covidien.

“There is litigation under way related to the current Magellan Safety Needle technology used on our Magellan family of products. But we are optimistic that the litigation will ultimately be resolved in our favor,” Hunt added.

Covidien has appealed a November 2007 decision by a US District Court jury that found the company’s Magellan Safety Needle products infringed upon one of Becton Dickinson’s patents. A federal judge granted Becton Dickinson’s request for an injunction against Covidien’s current Magellan Safety Needle product line. That injunction is scheduled to take effect on December 17. Over the next several weeks, Covidien will transition from its current line to its new and improved Safety Needle products.

“While we respect the judge’s recent ruling in this matter, we believe our current product line does not infringe on Becton Dickinson’s intellectual property,” Hunt said. “Our number one priority is to ensure that our customers receive the very best in needle safety protection.”

Net sales of the Magellan product line were less than $35 million in fiscal 2008.

SOURCE: International Business Times