Jury Says Boston Scientific Infringed on J&J Patent

A Delaware jury determined that Natick, MA-based Boston Scientific infringed on a stent patent held by New Brunswick, NJ-based Johnson & Johnson.

The decision stated that Boston Scientific’s Nir stent violated J&J’s Palmaz patent. The Nir had been made by Tel Aviv, Israel-based Medinol Ltd. and sold by Boston Scientific, which later stopped marketing the product. While the jury determined liability in the case, monetary damages will not be set until a later trial. According to reports, other post-verdict motions along with an appeal are expected.

A statement from Boston Scientific said results of the decision will not affect its other stents, Taxus Express or its next- generation Taxus LibertÈ.

According to a published report, a jury in 2000 awarded J&J $324.4 million in damages when it found Boston Scientific guilty of patent infringement. The verdict was set aside in 2002 and led to the latest verdict.