IntraLase Sues Carl Zeiss AG

IntraLase Corp., an Irvine, Calif., maker of the IntraLase FS (femtosecond) laser -- an ultrafast laser for use in refractive and corneal surgery -- announced today it has filed a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court against Carl Zeiss AG, its subsidiary Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc. and certain affiliates (Zeiss), alleging Zeiss breached an intellectual property agreement by using confidential and proprietary information that it induced IntraLase to disclose. Among other things, the suit seeks damages for breach of contract and payment to IntraLase of profits derived by Zeiss from the sale and use of its laser. The IntraLase FS laser, related software and disposable devices replace the hand-held microkeratome blade used during Lasik surgery. IntraLase is presently in the process of commercializing applications of its technology in the treatment of corneal diseases that require corneal transplant surgery.