Novartis' eye care unit CIBA Vision said it has reached a final global patent litigation settlement agreement with CooperVision Inc, resolving all current patent infringement lawsuits between the two companies.

Under the terms of the settlement, CIBA Vision has licensed its so called Nicolson patents to CooperVision. In exchange, CooperVision will pay CIBA Vision a royalty on US net sales of its Biofinity contact lenses until 2014 and on net sales outside of the US until 2016. CIBA

This will enable both companies to move forward in bringing forth new and improved innovations to meet the needs of eye care professionals and consumers. The Nicolson patents cover high-oxygen-transmissible contact lenses, including CIBA Vision's O2optix, AIR Optix and Night and Day silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

CIBA vision has also licensed two patent families from CooperVision related to contact lens designs. Further details were not disclosed by both of the companies.

This follows a settlement of patent litigation, also involving the Nicolson patents, between CIBA. Vision and Bausch & Lomb, reached in 2004, when CIBA Vision and Bausch & Lomb cross-licensed rights to their silicone hydrogel contact lens technologies. As part of the agreement, Bausch & Lomb agreed to pay CIBA Vision a royalty on net US sales of its PureVision brand contact lenses until 2014 and on net sales outside the US until 2016.

With worldwide headquarters near Atlanta, CIBA Vision is a global leader in research, development and manufacturing of optical products and services, including contact lenses and lens care products.

CIBA Vision is the eye care unit of Novartis, a world leader in offering medicines to protect health, cure disease and improve well-being. In 2006, the group's businesses achieved net sales of $37.0 billion and net income of $ 7.2 billion.