Collagen Corp. Files Amended Complaint Against Matrix Pharmaceutical Over Trade Secret Theft

Strategic Insights -

Collagen Corp., a technology-based company based in Palo Alto, has filed an amended complaint in its lawsuit against Matrix Pharmaceutical Inc. for allegedly stealing trade secrets. The amended complaint names two former Collagen employees as additional defendants, Steven W. Carlson and Daniel R. Prows, who allegedly took proprietary manufacturing process documents and materials to Matrix. Collagen Corp. claims that Matrix concealed the fact that it possessed these files and initially refused to return them, only after Collagen sought a court order. The company also alleges that Prows provided Matrix with similar schematics to a vendor used by Collagen.

Key Takeaways:

  • Collagen Corp. filed an amended complaint in its lawsuit against Matrix Pharmaceutical Inc. alleging trade secret theft.
  • The amended complaint names two former Collagen employees, Steven W. Carlson and Daniel R. Prows, as additional defendants.
  • Carlson allegedly took several boxes of files and materials containing proprietary manufacturing process information to Matrix.
  • Prows allegedly provided Matrix with similar schematics to a vendor used by Collagen.
  • Collagen Corp. claims that Matrix concealed the fact that it possessed the files and initially refused to return them.
  • The company also alleges that Prows met with vendors to discuss proprietary manufacturing process information.

Statistics:

  • Collagen Corp. alleges that Matrix Pharmaceutical Inc. stole trade secrets related to the company's proprietary manufacturing process.
  • The documents taken by Steven W. Carlson contained information about Collagen's manufacturing facility in Fremont, Calif.
  • Collagen Corp. claims that the stolen documents were used by Matrix to gain a competitive advantage.

Sources:

  • Business Wire, "Collagen Corp. Announces Filing of Amended Complaint Against Matrix Pharmaceutical Inc.", September 12, 1995.