Genetics Institute
Executive Summary
Washington, D.C. appeals court reverses jury verdict concerning infringement of Genentech's tissue plasminogen activator patent by G-I's novel plasminogen activator. The court rules that NPA is not equivalent to t-PA under U.S. patent law, overturning an April 1990 decision by Wilmington, Del. federal court. Genentech notes that its second-generation t-PA product, TNK, is covered by "multiple patents" owned by Genentech. The Activase marketer claims to have subsequent patents on t-PA since the 1990 court verdict "which contain claims they should cover Genetics Institute's product"