Roche accuses competitor of infringing diabetes patent
Roche Diabetes Care, a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Roche, has accused medical device company Insulet of infringing a patent covering a blood glucose level monitor.
In a suit filed Wednesday, June 17, Roche claimed that Insulet was infringing US patent number 7,931,613, through the sale of its Omnipod insulin management system.
The Omnipod system is made up of two parts: the pod, which delivers insulin to your body, and the personal diabetes manager, which allows you to control the pod.
Roche provides glucose monitoring, insulin delivery systems, and digital solutions for diabetes management under its brands RocheDiabetes, Accu-Chek, and mySugr.
“Insulet knew of and/or was willfully blind to the ‘613 patent and Insulet’s infringement was knowing and willful. Insulet and Roche are and were sophisticated parties and competitors in the diabetes management market and, on information and belief, Insulet identified, monitored, investigated, and assessed its competitors’ patents, including the ‘613 patent,” said the suit.
According to Roche, Insulet has publicly stated that it was aware of patents and applications owned by competitors that covered insulin infusion and related devices.
Insulet has also reportedly publicly acknowledged that third parties may have had patents on which Insulet’s products infringed, and expected to be increasingly subject to third-party infringement claims.
Roche is seeking a finding of willful infringement and triple damages.
Did you enjoy reading this story? Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories sent like this straight to your inbox.