Bausch&Lomb wins against Ciba Vision in Europe

In the lengthy war between Bausch & Lomb and Ciba Vision over the patent for extended wear contact lenses (Pure Vision and Night&Day, respectively) Bausch & Lomb has recently won a battle in Europe.

The European patents office (Epo) in Munich (Germany), in fact revoked Ciba Vision's authorship of the patent for hydrogel-silicone lenses: according to the court, the Ciba patent is not original and the technology belongs to Bausch & Lomb.

As a consequence, the company will immediately start selling Pure Vision in Germany again (sales were blocked in April) and will try to have the same ruling extended to Ireland.

Ciba Vision could appeal however.