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www.fdanews.com/articles/75034-opposition-against-angiotech-des-patent-dropped

OPPOSITION AGAINST ANGIOTECH DES PATENT DROPPED

August 4, 2005

Original opponents of a European drug-eluting stent (DES) patent have either dropped, withdrawn or abandoned efforts to file an appeal within a set time frame, said Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, leaving the patent valid and enforceable.

Vancouver, BC-based Angiotech said the grant of European Patent No. 0 706 376 was originally opposed by five parties after a written decision from the European Patent Office was issued on April 19. The opponents had cited over 50 documents to support their invalidity arguments; however, no appeals were filed within the two-month deadline found in the European Patent Office decision.

Pending resolution of all outstanding matters, including issuing formal notice to Angiotech, the company said it expects the European Patent Office will publish the patent for a DES containing the drug paclitaxel as amended. The patent protects its DES technology, which includes the Angiotech/Boston Scientific Taxus stent program.

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