NOVEMBER 12, 2008 -- Reliant Technologies (Mountain View, CA) and Palomar Medical Technologies(Burlington, MA) (NASDAQ:PMTI) have formed the Fractional Technology Open Patent Program (FTOPP) to offer licenses to key intellectual property in fractional lasers. The FTOPP contains six fundamental fractional patent families including issued patents and pending patent applications owned or controlled by Reliant, Palomar, and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).
Fractional light-based treatmentsdeliver laser or high-powered light energy in a pattern that leaves untreated areas of skin between the treated areas. The healthy, untreated sections promote faster healing of the treated portions and stimulate increased clinical response as compared to standard full surface treatments. Clinical studies show fractional treatments can increase both efficacy and safety. The treatments are used for skin resurfacing and rejuvenation (anti-aging), reduction of wrinkles and uneven pigmentation, and other skin therapies.
As pioneers of fractional technology, Reliant, Palomar and MGH are the owners of the fundamental intellectual property in this area. In order to encourage further development of fractional products while also seeking compensation for their early, ground breaking work, Reliant, Palomar and MGH have created the FTOPP to provide others in the industry the opportunity to license the necessary intellectual property.
"We are excited to be a part of this program," said Dr. R. Rox Anderson, director of the Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. "Fractional treatment is a broad technology that enhances safety and efficacy over that of traditional light-based aesthetic treatments. Our work has already helped many people around the world. This program enables participants to benefit from years of research and continue development of an important new approach."
"Investing in innovation is key to the success of Reliant Technologies and it is imperative that Reliant protect the value of its inventions," said Eric Stang, president and CEO of Reliant Technologies. "By forming this FTOPP in conjunction with Palomar and MGH, we are making it possible for companies to access and take advantage of fundamental intellectual property in the fractional space."
"Palomar is recognized as a technology leader with one of the strongest intellectual property portfolios and patent enforcement strategies in the industry," said Joe Caruso, president and CEO of Palomar Medical Technologies. "The FTOPP presents a compelling collection of intellectual property assets that are necessary to operate in the fractional space. We believe companies exploiting fractional technology will find it in their interest to take an FTOPP license and not risk the consequences of infringing such a large number of patents."
The FTOPP comprises six patent families, including eleven issued and pending U.S. patents and applications, along with foreign counterparts. Included in the FTOPP from Reliant are: U.S. patent numbers 6,632,219 and 6,059,820 and patent application number 11/250,139 (the "Tankovich-Baranov" patent family named for early inventors in the fractional space Dr. Nikolai Tankovich and Dr. Eugene Baranov); U.S. patent application number 10/542,390 (the "1678" patent family licensed by Reliant from MGH); and U.S. patent application number 10/367,582 (the "582" patent family). Included in the FTOPP from Palomar Medical Technologies are: U.S. patent number 6,997,923 and patent application number 11/235,697 (the "923" patent family -- jointly owned with and licensed by Palomar from MGH); and U.S. patent number 6,723,090 and patent application number 11/408,272 (the "Fiber Laser" patent family). Also included in the FTOPP from MGH is U.S. patent number 7,331,953 and patent application number 11/931,232 (the "953" patent family).
In addition to the FTOPP, Reliant and Palomar have begun cross-licensing certain technologies between themselves.
More information:
Reliant Technologies
Palomar Medical Technologies
MGH's Wellman Center for Photomedicine