Biomet Sues Interpore Over Invention

Interpore International Inc., a medical device company based in Irvine, has been sued by a rival firm for allegedly stealing technology used in spinal implant surgery.

Biomet Inc., a maker of artificial hips, knees and other joints, filed the lawsuit this month in federal court in South Bend, Ind. The company claims that Interpore hired a Biomet researcher and patented an invention he developed while working at Biomet to make the implants lighter and stronger. Biomet said even its test name, GEO Structure, was used by its rival.

Interpore President Joseph Mussey disputed the claims. “We’re surprised they filed the suit, because we have been in discussions with them.”

Interpore shares rose 31 cents to $7.45 in Nasdaq trading. On Monday, they rose 18% after Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $15 million and future royalties to settle a patent infringement suit.

Shares of Warsaw, Ind.-based Biomet rose 3 cents to $28.08, also on Nasdaq.