Cubist patent invalidation: a very tough start to a relatively sound strategic deal of Merck

U.S. District Judge Gregory Sleet in D. Del. [ Wilmington, Delaware], ruled Dec. 8. that claims of four patents of Cubist Pharma are invalid. Cubist is being bought by Merck & Co. (MRK) for $8.4 billion.

Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-10/cubist-hunter-douglas-champagne-intellectual-property.html
and
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/09/us-cubist-pharm-m-a-merck-co-idUSKBN0JN1K820141209

Looking at the court filings, one might infer that Monday's outcome was foreseeable.