Pharmacy News Article

United States District Court Jury Finds that Smith & Nephew's Product Infringes Wake Forest Patents Licensed to KCI

SAN ANTONIO(BUSINESS WIRE) Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE: KCI) today announced that a United States District Court jury has found that a negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) product marketed and sold by Smith & Nephew plc (NYSE: SNN) infringes two patents owned by Wake Forest University Health Sciences, which are exclusively licensed to KCI. The jury held that each of the patents in the case are valid and has awarded KCI and Wake Forest damages related to the infringement. KCI will be seeking an injunction in the United States District Court in post-trial proceedings to prevent further infringement by Smith & Nephew.

The outcome of this trial exemplifies the protections provided to innovators like Wake Forest and KCI under the U.S. patent system,? said Catherine M. Burzik, KCI's president and chief executive officer. And for the nearly 7,000 people of KCI, this decision reinforces the purpose and promise of the innovative spirit. For KCI, it is that spirit combined with our unparalleled clinical expertise that produces the superior outcomes that differentiate KCI from the competition.?

KCI's Negative Pressure Wound Therapy solutions are offered through the company's Active Healing Solutions? unit, which continues to expand its Negative Pressure Technology Platform while entering new global markets.

For more information, please visit www.kci1.com.

About KCI

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE:KCI), is a leading global medical technology company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of innovative, high-technology therapies and products for the wound care, tissue regeneration and therapeutic support system markets. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, KCI's success spans more than three decades and can be traced to a history deeply rooted in innovation and a passion for significantly improving the healing and the lives of patients around the world.

The Company employs 6,700 people and markets its products in more than 20 countries. For more information about KCI, and how its products are changing the practice of medicine, visit www.KCI1.com.

All trademarks designated herein are proprietary to KCI Licensing, Inc. its affiliates and/or licensors.

Kinetic Concepts, Inc.
Media:
Kevin Belgrade, 210-255-6232
Wireless: 210-216-1236
kevin.belgrade@kci1.com
or
Investors:
Adam Rodriguez, 210-255-6197
Wireless: 210-861-7969
adam.rodriguez@kci1.com

Source: Kinetic Concepts, Inc.