Synthes, Globus settle suit on secrets

Dueling spinal-implant-makers Synthes (USA) L.P. and Globus Medical Inc. have settled their tradesecrets court dispute, with Globus agreeing to pay Synthes a multimillion-dollar sum to resolve claims of wrongdoing.

Attorneys for both companies declined to disclose terms of the settlement, and Globus' chief executive officer did not return a phone call yesterday seeking comment.

An online publication called Orthopedics This Week is reporting speculation by bloggers that Globus will pay Synthes between $13 million and $35 million. In addition, Globus has agreed not to solicit or hire Synthes employees for a period of time.

Synthes, a publicly held maker of orthopedic devices and implants, with North American headquarters in West Chester, sued David Paul, Synthes' former head of spine-products development, and two other Globus executives. Paul left Synthes in 2003 to create the rival Globus and recruited more than a dozen Synthes ...