Source: https://litigation.consusgroup.com/2017/06/05/depomed-inc-v-purdue-pharma-l-p-et-al/
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 06:44:11+00:00

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We will not set forth the underlying facts at length, as we have done so in previous opinions, and the Court presumes that parties are familiar with the factual background.
said drug in ten parts by weight of water, said dosage form comprising a solid polymeric matrix with said drug dispersed therein at a weight ratio of drug polymer of from about 15:85 to about 80:20, said polymeric matrix being one that swells upon imbibition of water thereby attaining a size large enough to promote retention in the stomach during said fed mode, that releases said drug into gastric fluid by the dissolution and diffusion of said drug out of said matrix by said gastric fluid, that upon immersion in gastric fluid retains at least about 40% of said drug one hour after such immersion and releases substantially all of said drug within about eight hours after such immersion, and that remains substantially intact until all of said drug is released.
‘475 Pat., col. 17, ll. 45-59 (emphasis added).
and concluded that the meaning of “substantially all” in the context of the patents-in-suit, as understood by the POSA, is “at least 80%.” Id.
“substantially all of said drug” claim terms, arguing that “the Court made a clear error of law in relying on extrinsic evidence to determine the legal construction of the claim term.” (Dkt. 284-1 at 5.) More specifically, Purdue argues that we “used extrinsic evidence to attribute meaning to a claim term that does not have a well-understood meaning in the art and is ambiguous in view of the intrinsic record, but never evaluated that extrinsic evidence against the patent document.” (Dkt. 289 at 4.) If we do not grant reconsideration, Purdue asks us to certify our Markman Order for interlocutory appeal under 28 U.S.C. § 1292.
A motion for reconsideration is “an extremely limited procedural vehicle” granted sparingly. Tehan v. Disability Mgmt. Servs., Inc., 111 F. Supp. 2d 542, 549 (D.N.J. 2000) (citation and quotation omitted). A court may grant a motion for reconsideration when the movant shows at least one of the following: (1) an intervening change in controlling law; (2) the availability of new evidence that was previously unavailable; or (3) it is necessary to correct a clear error of law or fact, or to prevent manifest injustice.
Shevlin v. Phoenix Life Ins. Co., No. 09-6323, 2015 WL 348552, at *1 (D.N.J. Jan.
23, 2015); Tehan, 111 F. Supp. 2d at 549.
prosecution history. We carefully reviewed the FDA Guidances and expert testimony regarding the same and determined that the data collected in the patents-in-suit was consistent with the extrinsic evidence. Id. at 26-29. The FDA Guidances explain what was known to one of skill in the art at the relevant time period with regarding to dissolution testing. In this context, we determined that the FDA Guidances were “highly persuasive evidence that the claim term ‘substantially all,’ as read in light of the specification delineating the patent and prosecution history, informs, with reasonable certainty, those skilled in the art about the scope of the invention.” Id. at 29. We concluded that the meaning of “substantially all” in the context of the patents-in-suit, as understood by the POSA, is “at least 80%.” Id. We did not determine the meaning of this claim term in a vacuum with only the extrinsic evidence. We carefully evaluated the extrinsic evidence in the context of the patents-in-suit.
Chemical Co., 811 F.3d 1334, 1343-44 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (“The district court’s determination . . . was based on extrinsic evidence. Because we see no clear error in that fact finding here, and it does not conflict with the intrinsic record, we affirm.”).
Boretsky, 433 F. App’x at 78; Shevlin, 2015 WL 348552, at *1. Reconsideration is unwarranted here. We will deny Purdue’s motion regarding the same.
Purdue argues, in the alternative, that interlocutory appeal to the Federal Circuit is appropriate. For the following reasons, we find that this case does not present the kind of exceptional circumstances necessary to justify interlocutory review.
v. Carte Blanche Corp., 496 F.2d 747, 754 (3d Cir. 1974) (internal quotation marks omitted).
In determining whether an order presents a controlling question of law, the Court must look to whether (1) an incorrect disposition would constitute reversible error if presented on final appeal or (2) if the question is “serious to the conduct of the litigation either practically or legally.” Id. at 755. A substantial ground for difference of opinion must arise “out of genuine doubt as to the correct legal standard.” Kapossy v. McGrawHill, Inc., 942 F. Supp. 996, 1001 (D.N.J. 1996). Mere disagreement with the district court’s ruling is not enough. Id. And, in terms of determining whether appeal would materially advance the ultimate termination of litigation, courts look to situations “where the interlocutory appeal eliminates: (1) the need for trial; (2) complex issues that would complicate trial; or (3) issues that would make discovery more costly or burdensome.” F.T.C. v. Wyndham Worldwide Corp., 10 F. Supp. 3d 602, 635 (D.N.J. 2014).
The burden is on the movant to demonstrate that all three requirements are met.
Acosta v. Pace Local I-300 Health Fund, No. 04-3885, 2007 WL 1074093, at *1 (D.N.J.
Kapossy, 942 F. Supp. at 1001.
Chems. Corp., 809 F.3d 1223, 1225 (Fed. Cir. 2015). The Federal Circuit routinely reverses and remands cases on the basis of the district court’s claim construction and indefiniteness opinions. Thus, an incorrect disposition regarding the indefiniteness issue would constitute reversible error if presented on final appeal. Katz, 496 F.2d at 755.
Accordingly, we find that our claim construction order is a controlling issue of law.
However, Purdue is unable to satisfy the remaining criteria for certification.
Purdue’s arguments demonstrate only disagreement with the Court’s decision.
Kapossy, 942 F. Supp. at 1001 (A substantial ground for difference of opinion must arise “out of genuine doubt as to the correct legal standard.”).
interpretations from numerous courts.” (internal quotation marks omitted)). Purdue concedes, as it must, that the use of extrinsic evidence is not prohibited in claim construction or the indefiniteness inquiry. (See dkt. 289 at 4-5.) Purdue simply disagrees with our application of that legal standard to the evidence in this case. Accordingly, we find that Purdue has not shown that a substantial difference of opinion exists to warrant interlocutory appeal.
Purdue argues that an immediate appeal would ultimately advance the termination of litigation because the issue is case dispositive. (Dkt. 284-1 at 13.) Purdue argues that if the Federal Circuit were to find “the use of extrinsic evidence to prove the meaning of the claim term” improper, there would be no valid patent claims remaining in this case, eliminating the need for trial. (Id.) Purdue also notes that expert discovery has not begun, a trial date is not yet set, and there are other motions currently before the Court.
We find that Purdue fails to show that an interlocutory appeal would materially advance the ultimate termination of the litigation. Here, the parties have already engaged in extensive discovery. The Court has issued a scheduling order for the remainder of the case. (See dkt. 285.) We also find that Purdue’s assertions are too speculative. We do not see a reason that would justify a departure from the basic policy of postponing review until the entry of the final order. We therefore find that appellate review of our Markman Order would not advance the termination of this litigation or substantially accelerate its disposition. Accordingly, we conclude that Plaintiff fails to demonstrate that certification is appropriate and we decline to exercise our discretion to issue a certification in this instance.
For the reasons stated above, the Court will deny Purdue’s motion for reconsideration and motion for interlocutory appeal. The Court will issue an appropriate order.
s/ Mary L. Cooper .

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