Sangui Settles Suit, Will Stop Selling Test Kit

Sangui BioTech International Inc. said it has settled a patent-infringement lawsuit by Axis/Shields ASA of Norway, its biggest competitor.

The Santa Ana business has agreed to stop selling a medical test kit for alcohol abuse that Axis claimed copied the design of one of its products. Sangui must pull its kit from the market by June 26, said Patrick Onishi, the firm’s director of operations.

Sangui doesn’t expect to suffer financially because it hopes to introduce a modified alcohol test kit within two months. The new version differs significantly from Axis’ kit, Onishi said. He would not elaborate.

Sangui’s stock closed Tuesday at $1.03, up 3 cents a share, in over-the-counter trading.