Pacific Biosciences Announces Outcome of First Phase of Patent Litigation Against Oxford Nanopore

Pacific Biosciences of California (Nasdaq:PACB) announced today that the U.S. International Trade Commission (the “ITC”) has terminated its investigation into whether Oxford Nanopore’s MinION and PromethION devices and associated consumables, reagents, and software infringe one or more claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 9,404,146 and 9,542,527, owned by Pacific Biosciences.

As quoted in the press release:

“We disagree with the present determination of non-infringement in this lawsuit, and note that the ITC’s construction of the term ‘single-molecule sequencing’ is inconsistent with both the commonly understood meaning of that term as well as relevant U.S. Supreme Court and Federal Circuit precedent,” said Dr. Michael W. Hunkapiller, Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Biosciences. “We continue to stand firm in our resolve to protect our investment and leadership position in the field we have created, and we look forward to the next phases of our litigation against Oxford Nanopore in the U.S. and Europe.”

Click here to read the full press release.