BREAKING: Merck Nominally "Wins" A $2.54 Billion Hep C Patent Verdict -- From Gilead; Reduction Likely, Says Condor...

But first, come -- let us reason a moment, here together, though: this is simply the end of Act I, in a Three Act play.

Yet to come in Delaware is the bench portion of the trial -- as to Gilead's OTHER purely "legal" theories (i.e., not factual questions -- not questions for the jury to decide, at all) on various defenses of patent invalidity. There are at least three of those that come directly to mind, here -- and the able judge will need to rule separately -- on those. This is a win for Merck -- but just like the $200 million win Merck received (only to later lose it all, and more) this past summer, in California's Northern District Court (San Jose) -- there is still a lot of dust yet to settle, here. Here is the only unsealed verdict form (a four page PDF file, that). In fact, there is also a SEALED verdict form -- one which we cannot see. No one can, in fact. It may well cut the other way -- in favor of Gilead. But we shall see.

[Of course, should it stand on appeal, and not be subject to remittitur, it would be the largest patent infringement verdict in the history of the US courts -- just as we've long suggested.] Here's a bit -- from what we can see:

. . . .On Sales of _$25.4_ Billion. . . (through August 2016). . . At a _10_ Per Cent Running Royalty Rate. . . . [equates to] $2.54 Billion. . . .

Do check back in about 20 minutes. At the outset, I will remark that a 10 per cent running royalty is at the very high, upper limits of what anyone versed in this area might ever expect -- given the Merck patent position, relative to Gilead's later (alleged) innovations. I suspect that alone will be substantial grounds upon which to reduce the jury's verdict.

There will also certainly be appeals -- on all sides. And who knows what the sealed portion of theose verdict forms hold? None of us. That's who -- save only the judge and the lawyers, in the courtroom. So -- do not oversell Gilead in the morning, and do not overly bid Merck up, pre-NYSE open tomorrow. Much yet to come.

We will watch and wait -- through this frigid, clear and Super-Moon lit night, now. . . . smile.

नमस्ते