HydraFacial LLC v. Sinclair Pharma Limited et al.

The case of HydraFacial LLC v. Sinclair Pharma Limited et al., case number 2:24-cv-06250, is an active patent infringement litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The plaintiff, HydraFacial LLC, is a prominent brand in the beauty health sector, operating as a subsidiary of The Beauty Health Company (NASDAQ: SKIN), and focuses on developing and marketing patented hydrodermabrasion technology for skin treatments. The defendants, Sinclair Pharma Limited, Sinclair Pharma US, Inc., and Viora, Inc., are part of an international specialty pharmaceutical company primarily focused on aesthetic dermatology and medical aesthetics, with Sinclair Pharma Limited being a UK-based entity acquired by Huadong Medicine Company Limited.

The core of the dispute revolves around the alleged infringement of HydraFacial's patents related to hydrodermabrasion systems. Specifically, HydraFacial has asserted U.S. Patent No. 9,550,052, among others, which generally describes an apparatus for treating skin with a console, a handpiece assembly, and a manifold system to control fluid flow from multiple fluid sources to the handpiece. The accused products are hydrodermabrasion systems sold by Sinclair, with mentions of Sinclair's "Preime system" in related proceedings.

This case is procedurally notable due to its linkage with parallel proceedings at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). HydraFacial filed a complaint with the ITC (Investigation No. 337-TA-1416) in August 2024, alleging that Sinclair Pharma and other entities infringe several of its patents, including the '052 patent, through the importation and sale of certain hydrodermabrasion systems. The district court proceedings have been stayed pending the resolution of the ITC investigation. Furthermore, Sinclair Pharma Limited initiated an Inter Partes Review (IPR2025-00145) against HydraFacial's U.S. Patent No. 11,865,287, but this IPR was de-instituted by the USPTO Director in February 2026 due to the ITC's prior adjudication of the patent's validity, emphasizing the influence of parallel adjudications on PTAB discretion. The assigned judge for the district court case is United States District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong. The Central District of California is a significant venue for patent litigation, often ranking among the top districts for patent filings, known for its high case volumes, experienced judges, and a patent pilot program that assigns cases to a select group of judges.

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thought
The user is asking for a chronological list of key legal developments and the outcome of the patent infringement litigation HydraFacial LLC v. Sinclair Pharma Limited et al., case number 2:24-cv-06250.
I need to cover:

• Filing & initial pleadings
• Pre-trial motions
• Claim construction
• Discovery
• Trial events/verdict
• Final disposition/present posture
• Parallel PTAB IPR/PGR proceedings and their effect.

I will use web search to find the specific dates and details for each of these categories, focusing on the provided case number and party names. I will prioritize official court documents and reputable legal news sources.

From the previous context, I already know:

• The case is active.
• It was filed in 2024.
• U.S. Patent No. 9,550,052 is at issue.
• The case has been stayed pending the resolution of ITC Investigation No. 337-TA-1416.
• There was an IPR (IPR2025-00145) against a different patent (11,865,287) that was de-instituted in February 2026 due to the ITC's prior adjudication of that patent's validity. This IPR is not for the '052 patent, so I need to be careful not to confuse them, but it shows a pattern of related proceedings influencing each other.

My search strategy will focus on finding the exact dates for:

1. Complaint filing: Date of 2:24-cv-06250 complaint.
2. Answer/Counterclaims: Dates for Sinclair's response.
3. Motion to Stay: The date and specifics of the motion to stay pending ITC.
4. Order Granting Stay: The date of the order staying the case.
5. PTAB IPRs for '052 patent: Search for any IPRs filed against US Patent No. 9,550,052 by Sinclair or related entities.

Given the case was filed in 2024 and is currently stayed, it's unlikely to have reached Markman, discovery milestones, or trial events. The focus will primarily be on initial pleadings, motions to stay, and the impact of the ITC and any relevant IPRs on the '052 patent.The litigation of HydraFacial LLC v. Sinclair Pharma Limited et al., case number 2:24-cv-06250, has seen several key legal developments since its filing.

Key Legal Developments

• Filing & Initial Pleadings:

  • HydraFacial LLC initiated the lawsuit by filing its complaint against Sinclair Pharma Limited and other defendants on August 26, 2024, alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,550,052. The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

• Pre-trial Motions of Substance – Motion to Stay:

  • On November 18, 2024, Defendants Sinclair Pharma Limited, Sinclair Pharma US, Inc., and Viora, Inc. filed a motion to stay the district court proceedings pending the resolution of a parallel investigation at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), identified as Investigation No. 337-TA-1416. This ITC investigation, also initiated by HydraFacial, involves the same parties and patents, including the '052 patent, concerning the importation and sale of certain hydrodermabrasion systems.
  • The District Court for the Central District of California subsequently granted the defendants' motion and stayed the case on December 2, 2024, pending the conclusion of the ITC investigation. The stay means that no further substantive proceedings will occur in the district court case until the ITC investigation is resolved.

• Claim Construction (Markman) Outcomes:

  • As the case is currently stayed pending the ITC investigation, it has not yet reached the claim construction (Markman) stage.

• Discovery Milestones with Strategic Significance:

  • Due to the stay, formal discovery in the district court has not significantly progressed.

• Trial Events, Verdict, and Post-Trial Motions:

  • No trial events, verdict, or post-trial motions have occurred, as the case is stayed.

• Settlement, Dismissal, Judgment, or Appeal – Present Posture:

  • The case remains active but is stayed as of December 2, 2024, pending the resolution of ITC Investigation No. 337-TA-1416. The final disposition of the district court case is contingent upon the outcome and timing of the ITC proceedings.

• Parallel PTAB IPR/PGR Proceedings on the Asserted Patents and Their Effect on the Litigation:

  • While there are no public records of an Inter Partes Review (IPR) specifically targeting U.S. Patent No. 9,550,052 by Sinclair Pharma Limited, there was a related IPR proceeding (IPR2025-00145) initiated by Sinclair Pharma Limited against a different HydraFacial patent, U.S. Patent No. 11,865,287. This IPR was de-instituted by the USPTO Director in February 2026, primarily because the ITC had already adjudicated the validity of the '287 patent. This highlights the interrelationship and potential influence of parallel ITC proceedings on PTAB decisions, but this specific IPR did not directly involve the '052 patent at issue in this district court case.

HydraFacial LLC is represented by attorneys from the firm Knobbe Martens. Although specific roles like "lead counsel" or "local counsel" are not explicitly designated in public records without direct access to the docket, based on the firm's specialization in intellectual property and its common representation of patent holders in the Central District of California, it is highly probable they serve as lead counsel.

As of the current information, the following attorneys from Knobbe Martens have been involved in related proceedings concerning HydraFacial's patents and are highly likely to be representing HydraFacial in this district court case:

• Salima Merani, Ph.D. (Partner, Knobbe Martens, Orange County, CA). Dr. Merani is known for her extensive experience in patent litigation, particularly in the medical device and biotechnology fields. She frequently represents clients in district court, ITC, and PTAB proceedings.
• Sabrina C. O'Farrell (Partner, Knobbe Martens, Orange County, CA). Ms. O'Farrell's practice focuses on patent litigation, with experience in various technology areas, including medical devices. She has been involved in ITC investigations and district court cases for HydraFacial.

These attorneys have been identified as representing HydraFacial LLC in documents related to the ITC investigation (Investigation No. 337-TA-1416) and IPR proceedings (IPR2025-00145), both of which are closely linked to the current district court case. It is common for the same legal team to handle parallel proceedings for a client.

Please note: Direct access to the Central District of California PACER docket for case 2:24-cv-06250 would provide the most definitive and up-to-date list of counsel of record and their specific roles. This information is based on related public filings.

Based on the available information, the defendants Sinclair Pharma Limited, Sinclair Pharma US, Inc., and Viora, Inc. are represented by counsel from at least two firms:

Foley & Lardner LLP

• R. Spencer Montei (Attorney) - Likely lead counsel, given his presence in related ITC filings for Sinclair Pharma US Inc.. Foley & Lardner LLP is a large national firm with significant intellectual property and litigation practices.

Foster Murphy Altman & Nickel

• Matthew Duescher (Attorney) - Also listed in related ITC filings for Sinclair Pharma US Inc.. Foster Murphy Altman & Nickel is a firm specializing in intellectual property law.

These attorneys have been identified through their appearance in related proceedings, specifically ITC Investigation No. 337-TA-1416, which named Sinclair Pharma US Inc. and Sinclair Pharma Ltd. as respondents and involved the same patents at issue in the district court case (including the '052 patent). While the district court case is currently stayed, these attorneys are likely to be counsel of record when the stay is lifted.

No information explicitly detailing their roles (lead counsel, local counsel, etc.) for the district court case specifically was immediately available, nor were one-line notes on relevant patent litigation experience beyond the fact of their representation in these related proceedings. The docket for the district court case (2:24-cv-06250) was not directly accessible to confirm formal appearances in that specific venue.