N@N

Edwards Lifesciences: Edwards Lifesciences' Transcatheter Valve Patent Found Valid in UK Court

^{Published on 2009-01-09 08:22:23, Last Modified on 2009-01-09 08:23:04 - Market Wire}
 

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - January 9, 2009) - Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: [ EW ]), the world leader in the science of heart valves, announced today that the Patents Court in the United Kingdom upheld the validity of Edwards' UK Andersen patent for transcatheter valve technology. Edwards succeeded in having CoreValve, Inc.'s invalidity claims dismissed on all grounds.

This case was initiated by CoreValve in the United Kingdom in Sept. 2007. In response, Edwards counter-sued, claiming infringement of the patent. While the Court upheld Edwards' patent, it found that CoreValve's specific product design does not infringe. Edwards remains convinced that the product infringes and will consider an appeal of this aspect of the case. The ruling has no effect on sales of the Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve in the United Kingdom or anywhere else.

"While we did not prevail on infringement, we are pleased the Court upheld the validity of our UK patent, which strengthens this key patent in the Andersen patent family. This is an important component of Edwards' intellectual property in transcatheter heart valve technology, and represents one element of our broader leadership strategy," said Larry L. Wood, Edwards' corporate vice president, transcatheter valve replacement.

Separately, Edwards has a lawsuit against CoreValve in the United States for infringement of the U.S. Andersen patents, and the Federal Patent Court in Munich, Germany, will rule on the validity of Edwards' German Andersen patent in early 2009. In October 2008, the District Court of Düsseldorf, Germany, found no infringement of that patent by CoreValve. Edwards has appealed that decision.

About Edwards Lifesciences

Edwards Lifesciences is the global leader in the science of heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Edwards treats advanced cardiovascular disease with its market-leading heart valve therapies, and critical care and vascular technologies. The company's global brands, which are sold in approximately 100 countries, include CardioVations, Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, FloTrac, Fogarty, PERIMOUNT Magna and Swan-Ganz. Additional company information can be found at [ http://www.edwards.com ].

Edwards is a trademark of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. Edwards Lifesciences, the stylized E logo, Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, Edwards SAPIEN, FloTrac, Fogarty, Magna, PERIMOUNT Magna and Swan-Ganz are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation and are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. CardioVations is a trademark of Edwards Lifesciences AG and is registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.