UPClytics
EnglishDeutsch
Sign inSign up
View all cases

UPC CFI 685/2024

Nov 11, 2024·EP2077811 +1 more: CLAY-BASED HEMOSTATIC AGENTS AND DEVICES FOR THE DELIVERY THEREOF

Case details
Status
Oral Phase
Action
Infringement
Category
Main Infringement Action
Parties
Claimants
Reps: Ulrich Blumenröder (Grünecker Patent- und Rechtsanwälte PartGmbH); Sebastian Ochs (Grünecker Patent- und Rechtsanwälte PartGmbH); Elvira Bertram (Grünecker Patent- und Rechtsanwälte PartGmbH); Thomas Laubenthal (Grünecker Patent- und Rechtsanwälte PartGmbH); Alexander Stumvoll (Grünecker Patent- und Rechtsanwälte PartGmbH)
Respondents
Reps: Peter-Michael Weisse (Wildanger Kehrwald Graf von Schwerin & Partner mbB); Alexander Reetz (Wildanger Kehrwald Graf von Schwerin & Partner mbB); Eva-Maria Thörner (Wildanger Kehrwald Graf von Schwerin & Partner mbB); Jan-Caspar Maiers (Wildanger Kehrwald Graf von Schwerin & Partner mbB)
Division
Hamburg LD
Judges
Technology
Medical Devices · Wound Care · Pharmaceutical & Medical
Language
English
First decided
Apr 27, 2026
Claims
At issue1, 2, 3, 7, 9
Revoked1, 2, 3, 7, 9
Notes: Claims 1, 2, 3, 7, and 9 revoked for the territories of Austria, Belgium, Denmark (excl. Faroe Islands and Greenland), Finland, France (excl. New Caledonia and French Polynesia), Germany, Italy, the Netherlands (excl. Aruba), Portugal, and Sweden. All 51 auxiliary requests (Amendments A–J in two subsets) were rejected for lack of novelty, lack of inventive step, or inadmissible extension under Art. 123(2) EPC. The application to further amend the patent (adding Amendments deleting C and introducing 'severely bleeding' feature) was dismissed. The application to extend revocation to claim 15 was also dismissed.
Decisions
  • 2026-04-27
    RevokedInfringement meritsInfringement Action

    The Local Division Hamburg revoked European Patent EP 2 077 811 B1 (claims 1, 2, 3, 7, and 9) across ten designated member states following a successful counterclaim for revocation by the defendant. The infringement action brought by Teleflex Life Sciences II LLC was consequently dismissed. All costs of the infringement action and counterclaim for revocation were ordered to be borne by the claimant.

    Legal issues:Revocation of patent for lack of novelty (prior art D3: WO 2006/088912 A1)Revocation of patent for lack of inventive stepInadmissible extension of subject matter (Art. 123(2) EPC) in auxiliary requestsClaim construction of 'clay material' — whether halloysite-7Å (dehydrated) falls within the claimClaim construction of 'binder' — whether PPG, PAN or physical adhesion satisfies the featureAdmissibility of 51 auxiliary requests (R. 30(1) RoP)Rejection of further amendment to patent (R. 30(2) RoP) — unjustified subsequent amendmentRejection of amendment to counterclaim for revocation to add claim 15 (R. 263 RoP) — lack of reasonable diligenceStanding/entitlement of claimant as patent proprietor following multiple assignments and mergerWhether an intermediate generalisation in auxiliary requests violates Art. 123(2) EPC (Amendments F and G)
Documents
Document titleDatePublic
action.issueOrder.order2026-06-01Not public
Order2026-06-01Not public
Receipt2026-05-27Not public
Cover sheet2026-05-27Not public
Application Respondent2026-05-27Not public
Receipt2026-05-26Not public
Cover sheet2026-05-26Not public
Application document Defendant2026-05-26Not public
Receipt2026-05-26Not public
Cover sheet2026-05-26Not public
Application Respondent2026-05-26Not public
Exhibit Respondent2026-05-26Not public
Exhibit Respondent2026-05-26Not public
Exhibit Respondent2026-05-26Not public
Exhibit Respondent2026-05-26Not public
Exhibit Respondent2026-05-26Not public
Exhibit Respondent2026-05-26Not public
Exhibit Respondent2026-05-26Not public
Exhibit Respondent2026-05-26Not public
Exhibit Respondent2026-05-26Not public
Exhibit Respondent2026-05-26Not public
Exhibit Respondent2026-05-26Not public
Exhibit Respondent2026-05-26Not public
Exhibit Respondent2026-05-26Not public
Exhibit Respondent2026-05-26Not public
Exhibit Respondent2026-05-26Not public
Receipt2026-05-18Not public
Cover sheet2026-05-18Not public
Document Claimant2026-05-18Not public
action.communication.general2026-05-12Not public
Receipt2026-05-10Not public
Cover sheet2026-05-10Not public
Application document Defendant2026-05-10Not public
action.phaseChange.caseClose2026-04-28Not public
Decision2026-04-28Public
action.issueDecision.decision2026-04-27Not public
Decision2026-04-27Not public
action.issueOrder.order2026-04-21Not public
Order2026-04-21Not public
Receipt2026-04-16Not public
Cover sheet2026-04-16Not public
Document2026-04-16Not public
action.communication.general2026-04-13Not public
Receipt2026-04-13Not public
Cover sheet2026-04-13Not public
Exhibit Defendant2026-04-13Not public
Application document Defendant2026-04-13Not public
action.issueOrder.order2026-03-23Not public
Order2026-03-23Not public
Note2026-01-27Not public
action.phaseChange.oralPhaseOpen2026-01-19Not public
action.issueOrder.order2026-01-15Not public
Order2026-01-15Not public
Receipt2026-01-15Not public
Cover sheet2026-01-15Not public
Application document Claimant2026-01-15Not public
Cover sheet2025-11-14Not public
Other document Claimant2025-11-14Not public
Receipt2025-11-14Not public
action.summons.oralHearing2025-11-10Not public
Summons2025-11-10Not public
Cover sheet2025-10-29Not public
Further pleadings2025-10-29Not public
Receipt2025-10-29Not public
Cover sheet2025-09-26Not public
Further pleadings2025-09-26Not public
Exhibit2025-09-26Not public
Receipt2025-09-26Not public
Note2025-09-25Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-09-03Not public
Order with grounds2025-09-03Public
20250901_Teleflex-SCM_Comments_re_R362025-09-01Not public
Anhoerung2025-08-25Not public
Receipt2025-08-21Not public
Application - Rule 36 ROP2025-08-20Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-07-30Not public
WKS_27_Statement_Bierbaum2025-07-30Not public
WKS_28_Expert_Opinion_Klüß2025-07-30Not public
20250730_Teleflex-SCM_60657_2024_Rejoinder2025-07-30Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-06-17Not public
Order with grounds2025-06-17Public
Outcome of the Order2025-06-11Not public
Fristverlaengerung2025-06-11Public
Receipt2025-06-11Not public
20250610_Teleflex-SCM_extension_request2025-06-10Not public
20250610_Teleflex-SCM_Response_re_Evidence2025-06-10Not public
Comments on the Defendant's brief2025-06-03Not public
Anhoerung2025-05-27Not public
Receipt2025-05-22Not public
Application Rule 9.1 RoP2025-05-22Not public
20250502_Teleflex-SCM_Response_Production_Evidence2025-05-02Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-04-28Not public
Annex K542025-04-25Not public
Annex K712025-04-25Not public
Annex K372025-04-25Not public
Annex K322025-04-25Not public
Annex K522025-04-25Not public
Annex K462025-04-25Not public
Annex K482025-04-25Not public
Annex K442025-04-25Not public
Annex K652025-04-25Not public
Annex K452025-04-25Not public
Annex K672025-04-25Not public
Annex K512025-04-25Not public
Annex K502025-04-25Not public
Annex K69.12025-04-25Not public
Annex K422025-04-25Not public
Annex K392025-04-25Not public
Annex K472025-04-25Not public
Annex K642025-04-25Not public
Annex K602025-04-25Not public
Annex K402025-04-25Not public
Annex K562025-04-25Not public
Annex K332025-04-25Not public
Annex K492025-04-25Not public
Annex K342025-04-25Not public
Annex K532025-04-25Not public
Annex K412025-04-25Not public
Annex K702025-04-25Not public
Annex K622025-04-25Not public
Reply to the Statement of Defense2025-04-25Not public
Annex K682025-04-25Not public
Annex K662025-04-25Not public
Annex K612025-04-25Not public
Annex K592025-04-25Not public
Annex K382025-04-25Not public
Annex K582025-04-25Not public
Annex K362025-04-25Not public
Annex K632025-04-25Not public
Annex K432025-04-25Not public
Annex K352025-04-25Not public
Annex K572025-04-25Not public
Annex K45-EN2025-04-25Not public
Annex K69.22025-04-25Not public
Annex K552025-04-25Not public
Anhoerung2025-04-22Not public
Receipt2025-04-17Not public
Request for Order to Produce Evidence2025-04-17Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-03-31Not public
Fristverlaengerung2025-03-31Public
Panel-Appointment2025-03-31Not public
Receipt2025-03-18Not public
Application for extension of deadline2025-03-18Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-02-25Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-02-24Not public
WKS 6 Burger/Wachter (ed.), Hunnius, “Quelltone” (swell clays), “Quellungswasser”2025-02-24Not public
WKS 13e Excerpt from Danish patent register2025-02-24Not public
WKS 16 Declaration halloysite supplier (partially redacted)2025-02-24Not public
WKS 7 Written testimony of Mr. Siegfried Kruse2025-02-24Not public
WKS 2 Römpp, Lexikon Chemie, “Hydratation” and “Hydratisierung”2025-02-24Not public
WKS 13d Excerpt from Austrian patent register2025-02-24Not public
WKS 14 Declaration fiber supplier (partially redacted)2025-02-24Not public
WKS 4 Joussein et. al, Clays and Clay Minerals (August 2006), pp. 473-4852025-02-24Not public
WKS 26 Limited Liability Company Agreement of Teleflex Life Sciences II LLC of November 27, 20232025-02-24Not public
WKS 15 Declaration gauze supplier (partially redacted)2025-02-24Not public
WKS 8 Written testimony by Susanne Montag2025-02-24Not public
WKS 22 Written Consent of the Sole Member of Z-Medica, LLC2025-02-24Not public
WKS 1 D3 - WO2006/088912A22025-02-24Not public
WKS 25 “Resolutions” of February 15, 2021 regarding authorization of Mr. Michael Kryukov2025-02-24Not public
WKS 13j Excerpt from Swedish patent register2025-02-24Not public
WKS 13d Excerpt from Austrian patent register2025-02-24Not public
WKS 13h Excerpt from Portuguese patent register2025-02-24Not public
WKS 13g Excerpt from French patent register2025-02-24Not public
WKS 17 Declaration wound dressing manufacturer (partially redacted)2025-02-24Not public
WKS 20 Supplementary Heppe Report, January 16, 20252025-02-24Not public
WKS 13h Excerpt from Portuguese patent register2025-02-24Not public
WKS 13c Excerpt from German patent register2025-02-24Not public
WKS 13e Excerpt from Danish patent register2025-02-24Not public
WKS 19 Supplementary written testimony by Susanne Montag2025-02-24Not public
WKS 23 Minutes of Special Meeting of Board of Directors TFX Equities Incorporated2025-02-24Not public
WKS 13a Excerpt from Durch patent register2025-02-24Not public
WKS 9 Heppe Report, December 18, 20242025-02-24Not public
WKS 13i Excerpt from Italian patent register2025-02-24Not public
WKS 13b Excerpt from Belgian patent register2025-02-24Not public
20250224 Teleflex vs SCM Statement of Defense2025-02-24Not public
WKS 21 Written testimony of Mr. Ulf Pommerening dated Feb. 21, 20252025-02-24Not public
WKS 3 Jasmund/Lagaly (eds.), Appendix, p. 4282025-02-24Not public
WKS 18 Supplementary written testimony of Mr. Siegfried Kruse2025-02-24Not public
WKS 13b Excerpt from Belgian patent register2025-02-24Not public
WKS 24 “Resolutions” of September 22, 2020 regarding authorization of Mr. Mattew James2025-02-24Not public
WKS 13i Excerpt from Italian patent register2025-02-24Not public
WKS 13f Excerpt from Finnish patent register2025-02-24Not public
WKS 5 Römpp, Lexikon Chemie (Falbe/Regitz Hrsg.), Vol. 3, 10th A. 1997, „halloysite“2025-02-24Not public
Notification Of Service2024-12-06Not public
Service2024-12-06Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2024-12-03Not public
Panel-Appointment2024-11-22Not public
communicationCheck2024-11-18Not public
Document from EPO2024-11-18Not public
Letter-for-Service2024-11-14Not public
Panel-Appointment2024-11-14Not public
EPO-Request-for-case-pending2024-11-14Not public
Receipt2024-11-14Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2024-11-14Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2024-11-11Not public
Statement of Claim2024-11-11Not public
Annex K62024-11-11Not public
Annex K162024-11-11Not public
Annex K222024-11-11Not public
Annex K282024-11-11Not public
Annex K192024-11-11Not public
Annex K132024-11-11Not public
Annex K82024-11-11Not public
Annex K172024-11-11Not public
Annex K152024-11-11Not public
Annex K102024-11-11Not public
Annex K22024-11-11Not public
Annex K262024-11-11Not public
Annex K72024-11-11Not public
Annex K32024-11-11Not public
Annex K92024-11-11Not public
Annex K52024-11-11Not public
Annex K242024-11-11Not public
Annex K12024-11-11Not public
Annex K212024-11-11Not public
Annex K302024-11-11Not public
Annex K252024-11-11Not public
Annex K292024-11-11Not public
Annex K122024-11-11Not public
Annex K312024-11-11Not public
Annex K142024-11-11Not public
Annex K272024-11-11Not public
Annex K202024-11-11Not public
Annex K42024-11-11Not public
Annex K112024-11-11Not public
Annex K182024-11-11Not public
Annex K232024-11-11Not public
Annex K132024-11-11Not public
Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.

  • The subject matter of claims 1, 2, 3, 7 and 9 lacks novelty and/or inventive step over prior art document D3 (WO 2006/088912 A1) which discloses clay-based hemostatic bandages in dry form on a gauze substrate

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 54 EPC (novelty); Art. 56 EPC (inventive step)

  • The application to further amend the patent (September 1, 2025) was not justified because the claimant failed to establish a connection between the subsequent amendments and new arguments by the defendant, and adding amendments to an already complex set of 51 auxiliary requests does not simplify proceedings

    RespondentLegal basis: R. 30(2) RoP

  • The application to extend the counterclaim for revocation to claim 15 must be dismissed because the defendant did not act with reasonable diligence given the claimant's auxiliary requests were known since April 2025, and allowing the amendment would unreasonably hinder the claimant

    RespondentLegal basis: R. 263.2 RoP

  • Amendments F and G in the auxiliary requests violate Art. 123(2) EPC as they extract features (radiopaque component, clay only on first surface) exclusively disclosed in the sponge embodiment context without incorporating the essential structural context of the sponge

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 123(2) EPC

  • All auxiliary requests (including Amendments A through J across all 51 requests) lack novelty and/or inventive step, predominantly in light of D3 alone or in combination with N2, N6, N7 or other prior art

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 54 EPC; Art. 56 EPC
Rejected arguments
What the court did not agree with — and why.

  • The attacked embodiment (SpeedM emergency hemostatic dressing) infringes the patent because halloysite-7Å is 'clay material' within the claim and the product contains a binder (chitosan or PPG/PAN)

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 25 UPCA (direct infringement)

  • The 51 auxiliary requests are inadmissible because the number is unreasonably high

    RespondentLegal basis: R. 30(1) RoP

  • The amendments in the further amendment application simplify proceedings, resolve clarity objections, and are proportionate; they do not unduly delay proceedings or prejudice the defendant

    ClaimantLegal basis: R. 30(2) RoP; principles of proportionality and fairness