CONCORD, Calif., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ocular Sciences, Inc. today provided comment on a press release issued by Bausch & Lomb announcing that it had filed a lawsuit against Ocular in U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York on October 4, 2004. According to the press release, the lawsuit alleges that Ocular's Biomedics toric soft contact lens and its private label equivalent infringe Bausch & Lomb U.S. Patent No. 6,113,236.
"We believe this lawsuit is without merit and we plan to conduct a vigorous defense," said Stephen J. Fanning, President and CEO. "Although we have not yet been served with the lawsuit and have not been able to obtain a copy of the complaint, we have been in discussion with Bausch & Lomb on this matter since January 2004, have investigated the matter in detail and believe that our patented Biomedics toric soft contact lens and the private label equivalent do not infringe the Bausch & Lomb patent."
About Ocular Sciences, Inc.
Ocular Sciences, Inc. manufactures a broad line of high quality, competitively priced soft contact lenses marketed directly to eye-care practitioners. The Company's lenses are brand and product differentiated by distribution channel, and Ocular's unique lens technology makes thinner lenses that are easier to handle and more comfortable to wear than those of leading competitors.
Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company's beliefs about litigation involving Bausch & Lomb Inc. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks include the costs and inherent uncertainties of patent litigation, that the litigation is adjudicated in favor of Bausch & Lomb and that litigation will be settled on terms unfavorable to Ocular. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Contacts:
Investors Media
EVC Group EVC Group
Douglas Sherk, 415-896-6820 Sheryl Seapy
Jennifer Beugelmans, 415-896-6820 415-272-3323
Ocular Sciences, Inc.
CONTACT: investors, Douglas Sherk, +1-415-896-6820, or JenniferBeugelmans, +1-415-896-6820, or media, Sheryl Seapy, +1-415-272-3323, all ofEVC Group, for Ocular Sciences, Inc.