For Immediate Release
Medline Comments on Recent Summary Judgment on One of Four Aloe Glove Technology Patents
Monday, April 20, 2009 —
Medline Industries, Inc., today issued the following statements related to the recent summary judgment relating to one of four patents that it holds for aloe glove technology:
Clarifying what is at issue:
"Shen Wei is the owner, and Medline the exclusive licensee, of four patents related to applying skin moisturizing agents to medical gloves. The claims of the first three patents each involve medical gloves with aloe. The fourth patent had claims that related to medical gloves with skin enhancing substances.
Medline has been litigating the claims of the fourth patent, and only the fourth patent, since October 2005 with Sempermed and Ansell. On Friday, Sempermed's motion for summary judgment of invalidity on the claims of this fourth patent was granted, and a district court judge dismissed Medline's and Shen Wei's claim. The claims of the other three patents were never in question and are still valid."
Regarding the litigation process:
"We intend to appeal the lower court's order dismissing the case to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. We have taken and will continue to take all appropriate actions needed to protect our intellectual property rights as they relate to this patent, as well as the other patents we have related to our aloe glove technology."
About Medline
Medline, the nation's largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products, manufactures and distributes more than 100,000 products to hospitals, extended care facilities, surgery centers, home care dealers and agencies and other markets. Headquartered in Mundelein, IL, Medline has more than 800 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product line and cost management services.
Over the past five years, Medline has been the fastest growing distributor of medical and surgical supplies in the U.S., serving as the primary distributor to over 250 major hospitals and health care systems. As a leading distributor, Medline offers a comprehensive array of consulting and management services encompassing the supply chain and logistics, utilization and standardization, business tools and enhanced reporting capabilities, and on-staff clinicians.
Medline has a growing network of 34 distribution centers around the country, as well as an expanding, dedicated transportation fleet with over 160 vehicles in a variety of sizes to fit customers' specific delivery needs. The fleet is equipped with the latest navigation devices for enhanced order tracking and communication.