Ex-Baxter unit wins patent suit

Haemonetics Corp.'s patent-infringement victory against a former unit of Baxter International Inc. over disposable kits used for collecting blood was reversed yesterday by a U.S. appeals court.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington said a trial judge erred in his interpretation of the Haemonetics patent 6,705,983, and sent the case back for review.

Haemonetics, based in Braintree, Massachusetts, had won a $15.7 million verdict against Fenwal Inc., the former Baxter unit, and an order that halted sales of Fenwal's ALYX kits.

Haemonetics' case was argued by Thomas J. Parker of Atlanta's Alston & Bird LLP. Gregory A. Castanias of Cleveland's Jones Day argued on behalf of the Baxter unit.

The case is Haemonetics v. Baxter Healthcare, 09-01557, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.