November 18, 2013 — A German court ordered Nov. 14 the discontinuation of a prior court ruling that prohibited Medtronic from commercially marketing or selling the CoreValve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system in Germany since Aug. 26, 2013.
"Medtronic 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," said John Liddicoat, M.D., senior vice president, Medtronic and president, Medtronic Structural Heart Business. "As a result of the ruling, Medtronic will resume distribution of the CoreValve System in Germany."
The Higher Regional Court of Karlsruhe explained that, due to the European Patent Office (EPO) preliminary opinion that the Edwards Lifesciences’ EP2055266 Spenser patent claims are not valid, it could not assume "with sufficient likelihood" that the Spenser patent is valid.
Medtronic will post the €5 million bond required by the order as soon as possible and then resume sales in Germany.
For more information: www.medtronic.com
