July 17, 2024 Aliso Viejo, Calif., United States
MicroVention, a fully owned subsidiary of Terumo Corporation, announced today that the United States District Court for the Central District of California has issued an injunction permanently enjoining defendants David Ferrera, Nguyen (“Jake”) Le and Michelle Tran, former employees of MicroVention (“defendants”), from using, disclosing, or possessing any MicroVention trade secret information or confidential information and requiring that they undergo certain trade secret remediation protocols to remedy the harm to MicroVention.

MicroVention sued the defendants for Trade Secret Misappropriation and Breach of Contract among other claims in 2020 related to defendants’ unlawful misappropriation of MicroVention’s trade secrets related to its embolic coils system, access catheters and guidewires used to treat aneurysms. In addition to the permanent injunction, the Court rendered a Consent Judgment noting that when Ferrera, Le and Tran left their employment with MicroVention they violated their obligations and agreements of confidentiality by taking with them significant amounts of MicroVention files relating to MicroVention’s products and business, and that Ferrera misappropriated MicroVention’s trade secrets. The Court concluded that MicroVention is entitled to recover from defendants a substantial monetary payment, as reflected in a separate settlement agreement. The Court also entered sanctions orders against some of the defendants related to spoliation of evidence.

“At MicroVention, we hold the principles of innovation, integrity, and respect for intellectual property in the highest regard. Our recent legal actions are a testament to our unwavering commitment to protect our own intellectual property rights. However, our dedication extends beyond the confines of our own interests; we actively advocate for the respect of intellectual property rights throughout the industry,” said Carsten Schroeder, President and CEO of MicroVention. “This commitment to ethical business practices and intellectual property protection is foundational to fostering a fair and competitive market. It ensures that groundbreaking medical technologies continue to evolve and reach those in need, underpinning our mission to be an industry leader in the creation and commercialization of innovative neuroendovascular technologies that provide a meaningful improvement in patient lives.”