DSM takes Mara to court over patent infringement on its algal oil innovations
NETHERLANDS – Global health, nutrition & bioscience Royal DSM is suing Mara Renewables Corporation over alleged patent infringement regarding its DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) algal oil innovations in the United Kingdom (UK).
The lawsuit, filed in early January, accuses Mara and Algal Omega-3 Ltd for unlawfully using the company’s patented technologies (AO3) to produce DHA oil.
DSM describes itself as a pioneer in science-backed nutritional lipids and a world-leading manufacturer of DHA algal oil, which is widely used in its plant-based omega-3 solutions including its life’sDHA® products.
The present lawsuit is focused on three specific patents – protecting DSM’s DHA oil products themselves, the aqueous processes and enzymatic extraction methods used to produce the ingredients.
DSM reports that the patents in question have varying expiry dates until 2031 and is suing Mara for financial compensation for past and ongoing infringement.
The Netherlands-based company is further asking the court to order that both Mara and AO3 cease the production and sale of DHA oil produced using its patented technologies.
“DSM first developed algal-based nutritional lipids more than 35 years ago – and was the first ever company to bring these game-changing products to market,” comments Gareth Barker, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing and Business Development at DSM.
“Since then, we’ve worked hard to uphold our position in the space with a strong commitment to continuous innovation and sustainability through ongoing investments. Concurrently, we’ve built a comprehensive patent portfolio to protect both our cutting-edge technologies and the business we’ve created.”
DSM holds a broad portfolio of patents in various countries including the US, Canada, Europe and China, many of which are valid beyond 2031.
To protect its investments in science-backed health and nutrition solutions, DSM has further committed to continue to monitor third party activities in various markets for potential infringement.
DSM temporarily reduces its vitamin C production in China
Earlier, DSM announced that it has reduced the production of its vitamin C in its factory at Jiangshan, China due to a string of factors, including economic uncertainties, inflation, and weakened demand.
The reduction is said to be a major one and the facility is now running at the “minimum level which is technically possible” so that the plant could resume to a higher production rate when the time comes.
Production will be reduced for about six to eight weeks, with the company indicating that it would re-evaluate a ramp up of the production next year after the Chinese New Year.
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