Spinal Kinetics Wins Another Round in Synthes' Patent Litigation
Synthes German Patent Action Is Dismissed
SUNNYVALE, CA, May 15, 2012 (Menafn - MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --Spinal Kinetics, Inc., the designer and manufacturer of theinnovative M6(R) Artificial Disc, today announced that the GermanDistrict Court in Mannheim has dismissed Synthes' patent infringementclaim involving German utility model No. DE 20321645U1 against SpinalKinetics. The court also ordered that certain litigation costs are tobe paid by Synthes.
The M6-C cervical and M6-L lumbar artificial discs help patientssuffering from degenerative disc disease of the spine; a common causeof chronic and severe back and neck pain. The M6 technology providesan alternative to spinal fusion and is designed to preserve motionand reduce the chances of subsequent degeneration of adjacent discs.Introduced internationally in 2006, M6 has quickly become one of themarket leaders in Europe and is available in over 17 countriesworldwide. With over 16,000 implants to date, the M6 continues togenerate enthusiasm among both patients and surgeons desiring motionpreservation.
"We are very pleased with the German District Court's decision inthis case," said Tom Afzal, Spinal Kinetics' President and CEO. "TheGerman District Court's decision, along with the earlier U.S. FederalDistrict Court's finding in December 2011, further validates ourglobal intellectual property position." In the U.S. case a jury foundthat Spinal Kinetics did not infringe on the Synthes patent inquestion (U.S. Patent No. 7,429,270), and, in addition, the jury alsofound the Synthes patent to be invalid.
The M6 is the only artificial disc that replicates the biomechanicsof a natural disc by incorporating both an artificial nucleus andannulus. In the U.S., Spinal Kinetics has successfully completed anFDA IDE Pilot Study of the M6-C in patients with both single and twolevel cervical disc disease and has received approval from the FDA toinitiate a large, multi-center Pivotal Study of the M6-C cervicaldisc.
About Degenerative Disc Disease Between each vertebra throughout thespine is an intervertebral disc; a shock-absorbing pillow that helpsmaintain proper spacing, stability, and motion within the spine. Eachdisc has a fibrous outer band called the annulus fibrosus thatencases a central, gel-like substance called the nucleus pulposus.The nucleus and annulus work together to absorb shock, help stabilizethe spine, and provide a controlled range of motion between eachvertebra. Degenerative disc disease is a condition caused by thebreakdown of the intervertebral discs. Often brought on by age, thespine begins to show signs of wear and tear as the discs dry out andshrink. These age-related changes can put pressure on the spinal cordand nerves and may cause back pain and other spinal conditions suchas spinal stenosis or a herniated disc.
About Spinal Kinetics Founded in 2003, Spinal Kinetics is aprivately held medical device company focused on partnering withspine surgeons to develop innovative and practical motionpreservation systems for treating degenerative diseases of the spine.The M6-C cervical and M6-L lumbar artificial discs have rapidlyestablished themselves among the leading artificial discs availabledue to their unique biomechanical properties that mimic naturaldiscs. The company is located in Sunnyvale, California.
For more information on Spinal Kinetics or the M6 Artificial Disc,please visit www.spinalkinetics.com
For Investor Relations, contact
Gary Paul
Email Contact
408-636-2540
SOURCE: Spinal Kinetics
http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=2A938170B1370B75
Copyright 2012 Marketwire, Inc., All rights reserved.
