B. Braun Gets Permanent Injunction in Patent War With Terumo

Germany-based B. Braun Melsungen AG and its U.S. subsidiary, B. Braun Medical Inc. have obtained a permanent injunction against Tokyo, Japan-based Terumo Corporation and its U.S. subsidiary, Terumo Medical Corporation, in a patent infringement case involving B. Braun’s Surshield Safety IV Catheter, a device that helps protect against accidental needlestick injuries.

The injunction follows a series of wins for B. Braun. In April, the company won an immediate and permanent order precluding Terumo and its subsidiary from selling or offering to sell the catheter in the acute market, and from bidding against B. Braun on expiring Group Purchasing Organization contracts. In November, the company also won a verdict confirming the validity of an infringed claim regarding its 2007 patent for the Introcan Safety IV Catheter.

Presently, Terumo is permitted to sell the catheter in the alternative care market until June 1, 2012. After that date, Terumo will not be permitted to make, sell, use or offer the catheter in the United States.

B. Braun also is seeking damages and other relief from Terumo.