Health patent battle over

The Auckland District Health Board has settled High Court proceedings it initiated against a Melbourne-based biotech company. Genetic Technologies Ltd had demanded $10 million for use of genetic tests, involving "non-coding DNA" it had patents for.

The proceedings will be withdrawn without payment by either party. Both have agreed not to pursue each other in the future in relation to the patents.

Bruce Northey, lawyer for the district health board, said the withdrawal of proceedings vindicated the board's decision to challenge the validity of the patents. The arrangement extended to all 21 DHBs, the NZ Blood Service and four Crown Research Institutes, he said.