Fisher & Paykel Healthcare takes ResMed to court in US over patents

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare is seeking damages in the US from ResMed over alleged medical device patent infringements.

 

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare has taken medical device company ResMed to court in the US, claiming infringement of its patents and seeking damages from its rival.

Some of ResMed’s products — including some continuous positive airway pressure devices and accessories used to treat patients with sleep apnea, and some masks — infringe on its patents, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (FPH) said in a statement to the ASX.

The claimant raised concerns over ResMed’s AirSense 10 and AirCurve 10 flow generator products, ClimateLineAir heated air tubing and Swift LT and Swift FX masks.

The company is seeking all available remedies, including damages and injunctive relief, from the US District Court for the Central District of California.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare chief executive Lewis Gradon said the company had invested “substantial resources” in developing its products.

“The company has protected that investment through the development of a significant portfolio of more than 1,400 issued and pending patents, and takes infringement of its intellectual property rights very seriously,” Mr Gradon said.

ResMed (RMD) recently reported a flat annual profit of $US352.4 million, boosted by solid performance from its masks and devices divisions.