Allergan, Microtech, Chiron Settle Patent Suit

Allergan Inc. and Microtech Inc. have settled a patent infringement suit with Chiron Corp.’s optical unit over a device used in cataract surgery. Chiron, based in Emeryville, Calif., said it signed a consent judgment in exchange for a license to the patent for the device, called the Bartell Shooter. Terms were not disclosed.

Allergan Medical Optics, a unit of Irvine-based Allergan Inc., and Microtech Inc. sued Chiron and its Chiron Vision unit in 1992, alleging Chiron infringed on the patent for a device that inserts intraocular lenses after cataract removal.

In June, a California jury ruled Microtech and Allergan were the owners and exclusive licensees of the patent for the Bartell Shooter. The patent was first assigned to Microtech, which later licensed it to Allergan.