A Medical Device Daily

Reliant Technologies (Mountain View California) and Palomar Medical Technologies (Burlington, Massachusetts) reported the formation of a Fractional Technology Open Patent Program (FTOPP) to offer licenses in the professional field to key intellectual property in the fractional space.

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). In addition to this program Reliant and Palomar have entered into certain cross-licenses between the two companies.

Fractional light-based treatments deliver laser or high-powered light energy in a pattern that leaves untreated areas of skin between the treated areas of skin. The healthy, untreated areas promote faster healing of the treated areas and stimulate increased clinical response as compared to standard full surface treatments. Clinical studies show fractional treatments can increase both efficacy and safety.

Fractional treatments have quickly become one of the most widely accepted and sought after new dermatology treatments. In response, many companies have launched new fractional products to meet the large market demand.

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).

Earlier this year Reliant agreed to join forces with Thermage (Hayward, California) in a merger expected to close in the 4Q08 (Medical Device Daily, July 8, 2008).