KCI Obtains Favorable Ruling in German Patent Case

Court Finds Smith & Nephew’s Renasys EZ Product Infringes KCI Patent; Issues Injunction



SAN ANTONIO, Tuesday, August 17th 2010 [ME NewsWire]:

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE: KCI) today announced that the German District Court in Mannheim has found that Renasys canisters and foam dressings used with Smith & Nephew plc’s Renasys EZ system infringe KCI’s German counterpart of European patent EP 0 853 950 patent relating to negative pressure wound therapy.


The Court also ordered that Smith & Nephew be enjoined from further infringement of this patent in Germany.


“KCI remains committed to providing outcomes-driven therapies to wound care patients and the medical community in Germany and around the world,” said Mike Genau, president of KCI’s Active Healing Solutions™ unit. “Enforcement of our intellectual property rights allows us to continue our investment in research-based solutions, such as our revolutionary V.A.C.® Therapy.”


Claims asserted against Renasys GO product components were found not to be infringed. This ruling is subject to appeal, and in a separate action Smith & Nephew is asserting that this patent is invalid.


In Germany and around the globe, KCI continues to offer innovative technologies, including the ABThera™ Open Abdomen Negative Pressure System and the Prevena™ Incision Management System. Later this year KCI plans to introduce additional products, such as the V.A.C.Via™ Therapy System, a single-patient-use solution for NPWT that will bring to the marketplace an extremely light, mobile and intuitive technology.


KCI's Negative Pressure Wound Therapy solutions are offered through the company's Active Healing Solutions™ unit, which continues to expand its Negative Pressure Technology Platform in new global markets. Additionally, the company offers comprehensive professional education, training almost 50,000 clinicians on V.A.C.® Therapy usage annually, and provides 24/7 phone support line where patients can access staff clinicians.


About KCI


Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE:KCI) is a leading global medical technology company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of innovative, high-technology therapies and products for the wound care, tissue regeneration and therapeutic support system markets. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, KCI's success spans more than three decades and can be traced to a history deeply rooted in innovation and a passion for significantly improving the healing and the lives of patients around the world. The company employs 6,800 people and markets its products in 20 countries. For more information about KCI, and how its products are changing the practice of medicine, visit www.KCI1.com.


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Kinetic Concepts, Inc.
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maggie.mcmahon@kci1.com



Investors:
Todd Wyatt, 210-255-6157
Wireless: 210-347-3540
todd.wyatt@kci1.com