Endologix Announces Favorable Markman Ruling in Cook Patent Litigation

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Endologix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ELGX), developer and marketer of minimally invasive treatments for aortic disorders, announced today that Judge Tanya Walton Pratt of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in Indianapolis has issued a Markman ruling in the ongoing patent infringement lawsuit filed against the Company by Cook Medical.

In a Markman ruling, the court determines the meaning of disputed patent claim terms at issue in patent litigation.  After a briefing and oral argument on April 15, 2011 as to the meaning of a number of terms of the claims of the two patents that Cook is asserting in the lawsuit, Judge Pratt adopted many of Endologix's proposed constructions for several terms of claims of both asserted patents, including constructions that the Company considers to be important for the outcome of the case.

The trial date for the patent infringement lawsuit has not yet been set but is expected to be set for fall 2012.

John McDermott, President and Chief Executive Officer of Endologix, commented, "We are pleased with the results of the Markman hearing, remain confident in our position going forward and intend to continue to pursue our numerous defenses."

About Endologix, Inc.

Endologix, Inc. develops and manufactures minimally invasive treatments for aortic disorders. The Company's focus is endovascular stent grafts for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). AAA is a weakening of the wall of the aorta, the largest artery in the body, resulting in a balloon-like enlargement. Once AAA develops, it continues to enlarge and, if left untreated, becomes increasingly susceptible to rupture. The overall patient mortality rate for ruptured AAA is approximately 75%, making it a leading cause of death in the U.S. Additional information can be found on Endologix's Web site at www.endologix.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the continuing litigation with Cook Medical.   The achievement of the plans and objectives in such statements involves risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to the costs and outcome of intellectual property litigation, many of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the control of Endologix. The Company undertakes no obligation to update its forward looking statements. Please refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, for more detailed information regarding these risks and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied.

SOURCE Endologix, Inc.