Contrast agent developers Nycomed Amersham and Mallinckrodt have settled their dispute over ultrasound contrast patents. The agreement ends a long-running legal battle over intellectual ownership of ultrasound microbubble composition technology.
Under terms of the agreement, the companies will end their litigation in exchange for cross-licensing patents and licensing fees. Mallinckrodt of St. Louis will pay a $10 million licensing fee and future royalties to Nycomed Amersham of Buckinghamshire, UK. Nycomed Amersham will also receive immediate rights to sell to Optison, the contrast agent developed by Molecular Biosystems and sold by Mallinckrodt.
In exchange, Nycomed Amersham has granted Mallinckrodt a non-exclusive license to ultrasound patents held by Nycomed and by Sonus Pharmaceuticals of Bothell, WA. Nycomed and Sonus last year entered a licensing agreement in which Nycomed agreed to take over ongoing litigation pitting Sonus against Mallinckrodt and MBI. Sonus will receive $2.5 million as a result of the settlement.
Nycomed and Mallinckrodt will also collaborate on future development of Optison and of Sonazoid, an ultrasound agent that Nycomed Amersham is developing. The agreement covers all markets around the world except for the Pacific Rim.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writersMay 8, 2000
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