ST. LOUIS, June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Mallinckrodt Inc. (NYSE: MKG) said today
that an order issued by the U.S. District Court in Minneapolis awarding it the
costs of litigation incurred during a lengthy legal battle with Augustine
Medical, Inc. to defend its right to manufacture and market its WarmTouch(R)
blankets is a vindication of the company's position.
"The patent infringement allegation brought by Augustine against
Mallinckrodt was a frivolous charge," said Mark McLoughlin, vice president,
Critical Care Systems. "This most recent ruling simply reaffirms that and
follows a federal appeals court ruling of June 8, 1999, that overturned an
earlier U.S. District Court ruling in Augustine's favor. This case has been
going on for nearly five years and we look forward to the day when it is all
behind us. Receiving payment for the costs for the litigation that we have
incurred will put us a step closer."
The exact amount of the award to be paid by Augustine will be determined
over the next three to four months, after Mallinckrodt submits the statement
of its costs to the court for approval.
Mallinckrodt's WarmTouch blankets connect to blowers that fill the
blankets with warm air, creating a warming system that helps control patient
body temperature. Medical research has demonstrated patient benefits from
such warming, including improved postsurgical recovery time and reduced
incidences and severity of wound infection after surgery.
About Mallinckrodt
Mallinckrodt Inc. is a global manufacturer and marketer of specialty
medical products designed to sustain breathing, diagnose disease and relieve
pain. Named one of America's most admired medical products and equipment
companies by Fortune magazine, Mallinckrodt does business in more than 100
countries. In fiscal 1999, combined net sales were $2.6 billion for
Mallinckrodt's respiratory, imaging and pharmaceutical product lines. Based
in St. Louis, Mo., Mallinckrodt's website address is http://www.mallinckrodt.com .
SOURCE Mallinckrodt Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.mallinckrodt.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/440950.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 440950
CONTACT:
Media, Barbara Abbett, 314-654-5230, or
barbara.abbett@mkg.com, or Investors, Robert Martsching,
314-654-3190, or Invest@mkg.com, both of Mallinckrodt Inc.
|
