ARTHREX TO CHALLENGE SUTURE ANCHOR VERDICT

NAPLES, FL, (June 23, 2011) – Though a federal jury ruled that Arthrex’s SutureTak and PushLock anchors used in arthroscopic shoulder repair infringed on a patent by English conglomerate Smith & Nephew, Inc. (S&N), Arthrex will be appealing the decision.

“After a Portland, Oregon, jury decided against it, Arthrex is disappointed with the jury's result and is prepared to see the matter through post-trial motions and appeal," said John W. Schmieding, Arthrex’s General Counsel. "We remain confident our SutureTak and PushLock anchors do not infringe the patent in issue.” 

Earlier this week, a decision by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. overturned an Eastern District of Texas judgment against Arthrex, Inc., brought by S&N involving Arthrex’s RetroButton ACL graft fixation product. The decision wipes away a jury award of $4.7 million and dismisses the entire action against Arthrex.

Arthrex, headquartered in Naples, FL, is a worldwide leader in sports medicine product development and educational services for orthopaedic surgeons. More than 5,000 products for arthroscopic and minimally invasive orthopaedic surgical procedures have been developed by Arthrex and are currently marketed worldwide. For more information, visit www.arthrex.com.