Medical device company Treace Medical Concepts sues Zimmer Biomet for alleged patent violations
In a significant move aimed at safeguarding its substantial investments in groundbreaking research and technology, Treace Medical Concepts, Inc. has initiated a lawsuit against Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. and Paragon 28, Inc. The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, alleges infringement of four patents related to Treace's innovative Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction System [1].
The patents in question include U.S. Patent Nos. 12,102,368, 12,268,397, 12,268,428, and 12,274,481 [1][2]. Treace claims that the defendants are selling products that mimic the patented features of the Lapiplasty system, including surgical tools and techniques [1].
The Lapiplasty system is designed to correct bunions in three dimensions, offering a more effective method compared to traditional surgical methods [1][3]. Treace highlights its robust patent portfolio, comprising 80 granted U.S. patents, 26 international patents, and over 150 pending applications, demonstrating its leadership in the field of instrumented 3D bunion correction [1][2].
The lawsuit comes shortly after Zimmer Biomet's acquisition of Paragon 28 in April 2025 for $1.2 billion, which may have expanded the scope of potential infringing products [1][4]. John T. Treace, Chairman, CEO, and Founder of Treace, stated that the lawsuit is necessary to protect the company's investments in pioneering research and technology [2].
Treace Medical Concepts seeks injunctive relief and damages in the lawsuit [1][2]. The case is assigned to Judge Gregory B. Williams in the U.S. District Court of Delaware, Case No. 1:25-cv-00592 [1]. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how companies navigate patent rights and innovation in the orthopedic industry.
Enforcing and defending Treace's intellectual property helps to drive the company's ability to continue to innovate solutions that benefit patients. As the recognized leader in the surgical treatment of bunions, Treace's commitment to protecting its patents underscores the importance of intellectual property protection in the medical technology sector, especially in innovative fields like bunion correction surgery.
- The lawsuit filed by Treace Medical Concepts against Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. and Paragon 28, Inc. involves medical-conditions such as bunions, and the dispute centers around patented therapies-and-treatments like Treace's Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction System.
- This legal action, driven by concerns over financial losses due to patent infringement, has highlighted the significance of intellectual property (IP) protection in the health-and-wellness industry, particularly in groundbreaking sectors like medical plastics and science.
- As this case unfolds in the District of Delaware, the outcome could shape future business strategies in the orthopedic industry, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding IP rights to foster innovation in the realm of medical technologies.
