Some claims in J&J suit over Guidant dismissed

NEW YORK Aug 30 (Reuters) - A U.S. court dismissed some claims in a lawsuit filed by Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) over its failed bid for Guidant Corp., according to a ruling made public on Thursday.

U.S. District Judge Gerard Lynch in Manhattan, in a ruling dated Wednesday, granted a motion by defendant Abbott Laboratories Inc (ABT.N) to dismiss it from the lawsuit.

Lynch denied a request by Boston Scientific Corp (BSX.N) and Guidant, which Boston Scientific acquired, seeking dismissal of the claim against Guidant for breach of contract.

But he granted their motion seeking dismissal of the claim against Boston Scientific for tortious interference with contract and the claim against Guidant for breach of an implied duty of good faith and fair dealing.

Johnson & Johnson had sued Boston Scientific and Abbott in September 2006, seeking at least $5.5 billion in damages related to J&J's failed bid for Guidant, a medical device maker.

(Reporting by Paritosh Bansal and Martha Graybow)

((Editing by Gerald E. McCormick; 212-393-9461; paritosh.bansal@reuters.com)) Keywords: JANDJ GUIDANT/SUIT

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