In a partial victory for VirnetX, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit left in place a Texas jury’s finding that Apple iPhones infringed two VirnetX patents relating to secure communications technology.

However, the court reversed the jury’s infringement finding on two other patents, however. Based on that ruling, the court sent the case back to a Texas judge for further proceedings.

VirnetX’s stock price dropped more than 50 per ent on the news before recovering slightly in later trading.

VirnetX, which was founded by employees at government contractor Science Applications International, holds patents related to secure networks, known as virtual private networks, and secure communications links.

The case at issue in Friday’s ruling, which went to trial in April 2018, is one of a handful of lawsuits VirnetX has brought against Apple alleging unauthorized use of patented technology.