Third Wave says patent extends IP reach

Madison, Wis. — Third Wave Technologies said on Tuesday that a patent it has just been granted will significantly increase the value of its intellecual property in the U.S.

The patent covers a combination of Third Wave's Invader line of genetic analysis products with a type of chain reaction that makes copies of DNA or RNA. The company also obtained a Japanese patent for its existing Invader chemistry.

"These important, new patents are a demonstration of the commitment Third
Wave has made to protecting the company's most valuable asset -- our core
Invader chemistries," said Kevin Conroy, president and chief executive of
Third Wave, in a press release.

After multiple settlements and one big win, Third Wave has resolved most of the patent lawsuits facing it over its Invader products. A judgement that competitor Stratagene must pay the company $21 million in damages and legal fees is on appeal.

Suits with Digene, Chiron and Bayer were settled without licenses or money changing hands, and Third Wave licensed technology from Innogenetics to settle another lawsuit in February.

• U.S. Patent No. 7,011,944