USITC Finds in Favor of Varian in Patent Dispute on VMAT Technology | Varian

{ "pageType": "news-article", "title": "USITC Finds in Favor of Varian in Patent Dispute on VMAT Technology", "articleDate": "01 November 2016", "introText": "", "category": "Corporate and Financial Releases" }

USITC Finds in Favor of Varian in Patent Dispute on VMAT Technology

PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR) today announced that an administrative law judge with the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) issued an initial determination in its favor on its VMAT patents in litigation with Elekta AB.

The administrative law judge issued a 465-page decision on October 27 finding violations of Section 337 based on Elekta's importation and sale of radiotherapy systems using linear accelerator-based VMAT technology.  The judge further found that public interest factors did not preclude relief in this case, and recommended that the USITC issue cease and desist and limited exclusion orders preventing Elekta from selling and importing its radiotherapy systems with infringing VMAT capabilities into the United States.

"We are pleased with the ITC ruling on the validity and infringement of Varian's VMAT patents," said John W. Kuo, Varian senior vice president and general counsel. "We see this as a victory for innovation and cutting edge cancer treatments that can benefit all patients. We look forward to the resolution of this litigation so that all parties can return all of their focus to the mission of developing and providing technology that will help to save the lives of cancer patients. Patient care is our first consideration, and it is important to note that this ruling will not interfere with any treatments, regardless of the equipment being used to deliver it."

Varian's patented VMAT inventions fundamentally advanced cancer treatment with linear accelerators that, for the first time, simultaneously modulate dose rate while shaping the beam and using progressive resolution to deliver arc-based radiotherapy with great precision and in dramatically less time. The VMAT inventions are the product of years of collaboration between Varian and Dr. Karl Otto on an entirely new method for optimizing treatment of cancerous tumors while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.

The judge's rulings will now be reviewed by the full six-member International Trade Commission, which is expected to issue a decision in February 2017.

About Varian Medical Systems
Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, focuses energy on saving lives by equipping the world with advanced technology for fighting cancer and for X-ray imaging.  The company is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiation. The company provides comprehensive solutions for radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices. Varian is also a premier supplier of X-ray imaging components, including tubes, digital detectors, cables and connectors as well as image processing software and workstations for use in medical and industrial settings, as well as for security and non-destructive testing.  Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 7,700 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America, Europe, and China and sales and support offices around the world.  For more information, visit http://www.varian.com or follow us on Twitter.

Press Contact

Mark Plungy
Varian Medical Systems
+1 (650) 424-5630
mark.plungy@varian.com

 

SOURCE Varian Medical Systems