NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Optical technology firm Cirrex Systems has filed a lawsuit against Illumina alleging infringement of three Cirrex patents through the sale of VeraCode microbeads.
Alpharetta, Ga.-based Cirrex filed its lawsuit last week in US District Court for the District of Delaware. In its complaint, it accused Illumina of infringing US Patent Nos. 6,542,673; 8,135,250; and 8,363,992.
All three patents apply to photonic technology that can be used in the life sciences for the detection and analysis of data from large volumes of samples. The '673 patent, titled "Identifier System and Components for Optical Assemblies," pertains to technology "for eliminating repeated testing of optical components while manufacturing an optical assembly [which] can include a high-performance optical component having a machine-readable identifier disposed within the peripheral area of its end face," according to the patent's abstract.
The '250 patent is titled "Facile Production of Optical Communication Assemblies and Components," and describes a micro-identifier system supporting "facile optical assemblies and components," the patent abstract said. The '992 patent, titled "Facile Optical Assemblies and Components," also relates to a micro-identification system that supports optical assemblies and components.
Cirrex said in its complaint that Illumina's VeraCode products — based on cylindrical glass microbeads — infringe all three patents. The VeraCode technology can be used to develop nucleic acid- and protein-based assays for a "broad range of applications," according to Illumina's website.
Cirrex has asked the court to find that Illumina infringes the patents and to issue a permanent injunction against further infringement by the San Diego-based firm. It also has asked for damages of an unspecified amount.