Irvine medical device maker Edwards Lifesciences Corp. said Thursday that a German court found that Irvine-based CoreValve Inc. did not infringe on Edwards’ German patent for a less-invasive heart valve.
Edwards, in a statement, said it “remains convinced” that CoreValve’s ReValving system infringes on its patent and will appeal the decision.
CoreValve said it was “pleased” that the German court found in its favor and would continue to defend its own patents.
The legal fight is over a new type of heart vavle that doesn’t require major surgery.
Edwards is undergoing U.S. trials of its Sapien valve, which already is sold in Europe.
CoreValve’s device is undergoing trials. The company could seek U.S. approval in 2010.
The products are seen as the biggest development in heart valves in years. They are inserted via a catheter through a vein in the leg or through the ribs, instead of during open-heart surgery.
In a separate case, Edwards said a German federal patent court would rule on the validity of the heart valve maker’s German patent in early 2009.
Edwards also has filed lawsuits against CoreValve in the U.S. and Britain for alleged patent infringement.
Shares of Edwards closed down 7% with a market value of $2.8 billion.
