3M Company MMM took a step further in its continued initiatives to protect and license its patented technologies in diverse areas of ceramic-based dental restorations. The diversified conglomerate filed a patent infringement lawsuit in Düsseldorf, Germany, on Jun 23, against Zirkonzahn Deutschland GmbH located in Neuler, Germany, and Zirkonzahn SRL located in Gais, South Tyrol, Italy.
The lawsuit alleges that Zirkonzahn’s instructions for sintering of Zirkonzahn’s zirconia blocks led to an infringement of 3M’s European Patent No. 1 154 969 B2. 3M’s patented technology facilitates sintering of dental ceramics that is highly accurate in terms of dimensions.
In Mar 2012, Zirkonzahn GmbH licensed 3M’s patented technology that facilitates the coloring of zirconia-based dental restorations. The license agreement resolved an almost two-year patent infringement lawsuit that 3M filed against Zirkonzahn in Düsseldorf. At the time, 3M also sued Ivoclar Vivadent, alleging patent infringement concerning its non-shaded zirconia CAD/CAM blocks and coloring liquids sold under the IPS e.max ZirCAD brand.
3M continues to advance developments in oral care through sustained R&D investments. Anaheim Group has acknowledged 3M's dental division, 3M ESPE, as the most innovative dental company throughout the past decade. This merit was awarded on account of the number of 510k clearances, patent filings and new product introductions.
3M ESPE's dental restorative materials deliver features like strength, easy handling, wear resistance and exceptional aesthetics, thus catering to the needs of every direct restorative indication.
3M currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Better-ranked stocks from the same space include Carlisle Companies Incorporated CSL, Hitachi Ltd. HTHIY and Shanghai Industrial Holdings Limited SGHIY. Each of these stocks hold a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
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