Medtronic Wins Patent Suit - Analyst Blog
September 22 2011 - 12:43PM
Zacks
Recently, the District Court of the Southern District of
California in San Diego ruled in favor of
Medtronic (MDT) in a patent suit. The court found
that some products of NuVasive (NUVA) – CoRoent XL
implants, MaXcess II and III retractors, and Helix and Helix mini
anterior cervical plates infringe three patents of Medtronic. As a
result, Medtronic was awarded $101.2 million as compensation for
damages.
Medtronic’s three patents in question are related to thoracic
and lumbar spine implants, a plate and screw system for the
cervical spine and a tissue retractor. The company’s Spinal
business, based in Memphis, Tennessee, is a leading player in the
spine market.
During the most recent quarter, the Spinal segment generated
$825 million in sales, flat compared to the year-ago quarter (down
3% at CER). Revenues from Core Spinal and Biologics were $610
million (down 2% year over year or down 5% at CER) and $215 million
(up 4% or up 2% at CER). The company recorded a 7% growth in Spinal
business in the international market based on the strength of new
products.
Revenues from Core metal constructs declined 3%. New
product launches including Solera, Vertex Select and Atlantis
Vision Elite cervical plate are generating growth, though
accounting for only a small proportion of Core Spinal revenue mix
in the US at present.
Medtronic recorded a 7.4% year-over-year growth (2.4% at CER) in
revenues during the last reported quarter. Although the Spinal
segment is the second biggest at Medtronic, it has been witnessing
several challenges in the recent past.
Moreover, economic uncertainty is affecting procedure volume.
With the presence of players such as St Jude
Medical (STJ) and Boston Scientific
(BSX), Medtronic is certain to face tough competition.
According to the company, about 60% of its business is growing
at a rate of 8% driven by new products that have improved its
pricing and market share. However, ICDs and Spinal, accounting for
the remaining 40% of the business declined 6%. Given these
near-term headwinds, we have a Zacks #4 Rank (Sell) in the
short-term.
Despite several challenges, the company is undertaking
initiatives to revive its top line. This includes penetration of
international markets, portfolio expansion and restructuring
initiatives, which we believe should benefit the company over the
long term. As a result, we have a long-term Neutral recommendation
on the stock.
BOSTON SCIENTIF (BSX): Free Stock Analysis Report
MEDTRONIC (MDT): Free Stock Analysis Report
NUVASIVE INC (NUVA): Free Stock Analysis Report
ST JUDE MEDICAL (STJ): Free Stock Analysis Report
Zacks Investment Research
SJM (NYSE:STJ)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2024 to Jul 2024
SJM (NYSE:STJ)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2023 to Jul 2024