Becton Dickinson Wins Patent Infringement Suit

A jury in New York Federal District Court ruled in favor of Becton Dickinson and Co. (BD; Franklin Lakes, NJ) in a multi-patent infringement lawsuit brought by rival Novo Nordisk A/S (Bagsvaerd, Denmark).

In its verdict, the jury declared invalid two patents owned by Novo Nordisk on a pen-type insulin-injection system. The verdict means that BD can continue to manufacture and market its 30-gauge BD Ultra-Fine II and Micro-Fine+ short insulin pen needles without having to pay a licensing fee to Novo Nordisk.

Insulin pens are pen-shaped devices that may be used by persons with diabetes in place of a syringe, for their daily doses of insulin. They are used with single-time use, disposable pen needles that are attached to the pen device before each injection.

BD markets pen needles in a variety of lengths and gauges for use with BD insulin pens and Lilly insulin pens and as replacement needles for Novo Nordisk insulin pens. In the United States, BD offers a 29-gauge pen needle and a 31-gauge pen needle. The 30-gauge pen needles, which were the subject of this case, are manufactured in the United States for sale in other markets.

Edited by Ursula Jones