Texas Jury Awards $250 Million Patent Infringement Verdict Against Boston Scientific in Balloon Catheter Lawsuit

MARSHALL, Texas, May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- A federal jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division has issued a verdict in favor of Minneapolis-based Medtronic Inc. against Natick, Mass.-based Boston Scientific Corp. and one of its subsidiaries following a patent infringement lawsuit involving a series of Medtronic dilation and balloon catheters used in the surgical treatment of heart disease.

The week-and-a-half trial heard by the Hon. T. John Ward concluded yesterday when jurors issued their verdict following five hours of deliberations. A team of attorneys from the national law firm of McKool Smith represented Medtronic, including firm principals Sam Baxter, Kevin Burgess, Mark Mathie, Rosemary Snider and Ted Stevenson; senior counsel Tom Fasone; and associates Ada Brown, Josh Budwin, Brad Caldwell, Jason Cassady, Victoria Cathcart and Geoff Smith.

"Both our team and our client are extremely pleased with this verdict," says Mr. Baxter, lead counsel for Medtronic. "The jury closely considered the facts and delivered what we believe is a just result."

Medtronic sued Boston Scientific in 2006, asserting that Boston's Taxus Express2, Express2, Liberte, Maverick, Maverick2, and Quantum Maverick products infringed the Fitzmaurice and Anderson catheter patents owned by Medtronic.

Medtronic is the world leader in medical technology providing lifelong solutions for people with chronic disease. The company offers products, therapies and services that enhance or extend the lives of millions of people. Each year, six million patients benefit from Medtronic's technology, used to treat conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, neurological disorders, and vascular illnesses.

McKool Smith has more than 90 attorneys in Dallas, Austin, Marshall, New York and Washington, D.C., handling commercial and intellectual property litigation for national and international clients. The firm is recognized as one of the premier litigation law firms in the United States, having earned significant courtroom victories for clients such as American Airlines, BearingPoint, Ericsson, Electronic Data Systems, Lockheed Martin, Medtronic Inc., and Sony Ericsson.

For more information on the verdict, please contact Bruce Vincent at 214.559.4630 (office), 214.782.6747 (cell) or via e-mail at bruce@androvett.com.