SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) July 6, 1999
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VISKASE COMPANIES INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-5485 95-2677354
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(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S.
incorporation or organization) File No.) Employer
Identification
No.)
6855 West 65th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60638
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (708) 496-4200
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Page 1 of 4 Pages
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Item 5. - Other Events
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On July 6, 1999, Viskase Companies, Inc. announced that the U.S.
District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern
Division, entered a final judgment in favor of Viskase Corporation in
the amount of $164.9 million for compensatory and enhanced damages and
prejudgment interest in the case of Viskase Corporation vs. American
National Can Company. A copy of a press release relating to the award
is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.
Item 7. - Financial Statements and Exhibits
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(c) Exhibits
EX-99 Press release dated July 6, 1999.
SIGNATURES
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
VISKASE COMPANIES, INC.
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Registrant
By: /s/ Gordon S. Donovan
Gordon S. Donovan
Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and
Treasurer
July 7, 1999
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Exhibit No. Description of Exhibits Page
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EX-99 Press release dated July 6, 1999. 4
Nasdaq SmallCap - VCIC For additional information contact:
G.S. Donovan (708) 496-4788
S.M. Schuster (630) 575-2342
VISKASE CORPORATION AWARDED
$164.9 MILLION IN PATENT LITIGATION
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, July 6, 1999 - Viskase Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq
SmallCap: VCIC) today announced that the U.S. District Court for
the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, has entered a
final judgment in favor of Viskase Corporation ("Viskase") in the
amount of $164.9 million for compensatory and enhanced damages and
prejudgment interest in the case of Viskase Corporation vs.
American National Can Company ("ANC").
In November 1996, a jury found that ANC had willfully infringed
Viskase's patents relating to heat shrinkable films for fresh meat,
processed meat and poultry applications and awarded Viskase $102.4
million in compensatory damages. During the past two and one-half
years following the jury verdict, the Court considered and ruled
upon a number of ANC's post-trial motions challenging the 1996 jury
award. On May 10, 1999, the Court reinstated the $102.4 million
compensatory damage award and on July 1, 1999, increased the award
by $62.5 million for supplemental and enhanced damages, prejudgment
interest and court costs. This $164.9 million final judgment
concludes the trial court proceedings related to ANC's willful
infringement of Viskase's patents.
In a related lawsuit filed by ANC on May 3, 1999 seeking a
declaratory judgment that one of Viskase's five patents was
invalid, the Court granted ANC's motion to consolidate the new
action with the 1996 action and simultaneously dismissed the new
action with prejudice.
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