INNOGENETICS ANNOUNCES COURT VICTORY AGAINST ABBOTT

Innogenetics announced last week that the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin entered a permanent injunction against Abbott Laboratories, enjoining Abbott from any further sales or use of products, including components, that infringe on Innogenetics' patented hepatitis C genotyping technology.

The court's injunction also prohibits Abbott from exporting components of the infringing products to foreign countries, Innogenetics said.

The judge in this case Jan. 4 dismissed Abbott's requests for a new trial, affirmed the jury's finding that Abbott infringed on the patent and that the patent was valid in all respects, and approved the award of $7 million in damages, according to Innogenetics.

Innogenetics is currently evaluating the total case and its legal options, including an appeal on willfulness, it said.