Israeli firm loses battle with Abbot over stents

AN Israeli company, Medinol Ltd, has lost a High Court claim that a rival firm with a manufacturing plant in Galway infringed a patent on a medical device used in coronary surgery.

Mr Justice Brian McGovern yesterday found Abbot Ireland had not infringed the patent on stents, which are inserted into coronary arteries to provide support to keep the blood vessel open.

Medinol, which has its headquarters in Jerusalem, brought the patent infringement action against Abbot Ireland, Abbot Vascular International BVBA, Abbot Cardio Vascular Systems Inc, Abbot Vascular Devices Holland BV, and Abbot Laboratories Inc.