Galderma Laboratories, L.P. et al v. Medinter US LLC et al

Filing 473

MEMORANDUM Signed by Judge Joshua D. Wolson on 2/5/2024. (mpb)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE

GALDERMA LABORATORIES, L.P., et al .

Plaintiffs,
Case No. 1:18-cv-01892-JDW-CJB
v.
MEDINTER US LLC, et al.,

Defendants.

MEMORANDUM
I entered a default judgment against Defendants Medinter US LLC, Medinter Ltd.
UK, Medinter Ltd. BVI, and Medgraft Microtech, Inc. (the “Corporate Defendants”) and
determined that Plaintiffs Galderma S.A. and Galderma Labs (together “Galderma”) were
entitled to both pre- and post-judgment interest as part of their damages award. After
reviewing additional submissions from Galderma, I conclude that Galderma is entitled to
an award of $1,707,223 in pre-judgment interest and is entitled to $915.50 per day, from
the date of the amended judgment until the Corporate Defendants satisfy it in full.
I.

BACKGROUND
A full recitation of the facts of this case is not necessary for purposes of this motion,

so I incorporate by reference the factual background set forth in my prior Memorandum,
in which I determined that Galderma is entitled to pre- and post-judgment interest and
granted Galderma leave to file a motion to determine the appropriate amount of interest

to be applied to the judgment. (D.I. 470.) Galderma filed its motion, and the Corporate
Defendants have not responded by the applicable deadline. See L. R. Civ. P. 7.1.2(b). Thus,
the motion is ripe for disposition. Having determined that Galderma is entitled to both
pre- and post-judgment interest, the proper amount of interest is the only issue left to
resolve.
II.

DISCUSSION
A.

Pre-Judgment Interest

In federal question cases like this one, “the rate of prejudgment interest is
committed to the discretion of the district court.” Sun Ship, Inc. v. Matson Navigation Co.,
785 F.2d 59, 63 (3d Cir. 1986). In this District, applying “[t]he prime rate is by far the most
common practice ….” ArcherDX, LLC v. Qiagen Scis., LLC, No. 18-cv-1019, 2022 WL
4597877, at *18 (D. Del. Sept. 30, 2022) (collecting cases). In addition, judges within this
District have compounded prejudgment interest on a quarterly basis. See, e.g., id. The
Corporate Defendants have not voiced any opposition to this approach. Therefore, I will
amend the judgment to include prejudgment interest compounded quarterly at the prime
rate. Galderma’s unrebutted calculations establish that it is entitled to $1,707,223 in prejudgment interest, and I will amend the judgment to reflect that amount.
B.

Post-Judgment Interest

Post-judgment interest is calculated “from the date of the entry of the judgment,
at a rate equal to the weekly average 1-year constant maturity Treasury yield … for the

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calendar week preceding the date of the judgment.” 28 U.S.C. § 1961(a). In addition, postjudgment interest must be computed daily and compounded annually. See 28 U.S.C. §
1961(b). Finally, “postjudgment interest should be calculated based upon the underlying
judgment and award of prejudgment interest.” Skretvedt v. E.I. DuPont De Nemours, 372
F.3d 193, 217 (3d Cir. 2004). Thus, Galderma is entitled to post-judgment interest on the
total amount of $6,829,733 ($5,122,510 (reasonable royalty damages) + $1,707,223 (prejudgment interest) = $6,829,733).
Galderma’s unrebutted calculations establish that it is entitled to $915.50 in postjudgment interest each day until the Corporate Defendants satisfy the judgment against
them. However, because “post-judgment interest on a particular award only starts running
when a judgment quantifying that award has been entered[,]” the award of post-judgment
interest on the amended judgment (which includes pre-judgment interest) will not begin
to run until the amended judgment is entered. Travelers Cas. & Sur. Co. v. Ins. Co. of N.

Am., 609 F.3d 143, 175 (3d Cir. 2010); see also ArcherDX, 2022 WL 4597877 at *19 (“[P]ostjudgment interest on the prejudgment interest award does not begin to accrue until the
amended judgment quantifying the prejudgment interest is entered.”).
An appropriate Order follows.
BY THE COURT:

/s/ Joshua D. Wolson
JOSHUA D. WOLSON, J.
February 5, 2024

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