NATICK, Mass. (AP) -- Medical device maker Boston Scientific Corp. said Tuesday a federal appeals court affirmed a 2010 decision that voided four patents held by rival Johnson & Johnson for a drug-coated stent J&J makes.
The dispute began with a lawsuit in 2007 by J&J claiming that a stent Boston Scientific makes infringed the four patents, which were tied to coatings placed on the stents.
Boston Scientific, which is based in Natick, Mass., said a federal appellate court the decision of the U.S. District Court for Delaware.
Stents are mesh-wire tubes that are used to hold arteries open after they are surgically cleared of fatty plaque. Some stents, like Cypher and Promus, are coated with drugs to prevent scar tissue from blocking the artery after the procedure.
Boston Scientific said it was pleased with the appeals court decision, and it will continue to "vigorously defend against charges of infringement" so it can continue to sell its products in the United States.
Boston Scientific shares climbed 4 cents to $6.86 Tuesday after hours, while J&J stock fell 14 cents to $65.36.
