Medtronic, a US-based medical technology company, has announced that a German court has ordered the discontinuation, in its entirety, of a prior court ruling that prohibited the company from commercially marketing or selling the CoreValve system in Germany since August 26, 2013.
Medtronic senior vice president and Medtronic Structural Heart Business president Dr John Liddicoat noted the company is very pleased with this decision as it will ensure that patients in Germany who need aortic valve replacement will have access to this life-saving therapy.
"As a result of the ruling, Medtronic will resume distribution of the CoreValve System in Germany," Dr Liddicoat added.
The Higher Regional Court Karlsruhe explained that, due to the European Patent Office preliminary opinion that the Edwards' EP2055266 Spenser patent claims are not valid, it could not assume 'with sufficient likelihood' that the Spenser patent is valid.
Medtronic will post the €5m bond required by the order as soon as possible and then resume sales in Germany.
