Irvine Manufacturer Grants Patent Options: Trimedyne Inc.,...

Irvine Manufacturer Grants Patent Options: Trimedyne Inc., an Irvine manufacturer of surgical laser equipment, said it has agreed to grant Somatix Therapy Corp. of Alameda options for exclusive worldwide licenses to two Trimedyne patents. The patents cover two types of catheters that can be used to insert insulin-producing cells into the abdomen of a diabetic patient. Tests can then determine if the cells can provide enough insulin so that the patient will no longer need insulin injections. Trimedyne said that Somatrix paid a small cash fee to acquire the options and that it will pay an additional cash fee to Trimedyne if it exercises the options. The catheters have not been approved for marketing by the Food and Drug Administration.