US to review plant-based heme ingredient’s patent after Impossible Foods, Motif FoodWorks dispute

USA– The US Patent and Trademark Office has made arrangements to review a patent held by Impossible Foods involving its plant-based heme ingredient after a dispute emerged between the company and its competitor Motif FoodWorks.

The most likely decision that will be made by the Board will further the dispute over who can make plant-based heme between the two competitors.

However, according to a spokesman from Impossible Foods, the decision will not imply that the processor loses its patent noting that there will be more scrutiny into whether the single patent should have been issued in the US.

The spokesman added that this is not the first and only US ruling involving patent challenges made by Motif FoodWorks.

“In addition to the four patent rulings from the board last week, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s judicial arm ruled against a review of one other Impossible patent last October,” he said.

“We’re pleased with the patent office’s outright rejection of four out of Motif’s five IPR petitions for review of our patents – and we’re confident that we will prevail on the fifth when it is fully considered.”

He highlighted noting that it was a major testament to the strength of the company’s patent portfolio and Motif’s repeated failure to avoid accountability for its infringement.

However, Motif noted, shortly after the lawsuit was filed that private investigators hired by Impossible Foods came to them falsely claiming to represent potential partners to get samples and more information about Hemami.

Motif launched its Hemami ingredient, which recreates the heme naturally found in animal meat, in late 2021 and initiated the use of biotechnology and unconventional research mechanisms to make ingredients for plant-based meat, dairy and eggs that could better mimic traditional products.

Impossible makes its plant-based heme and its signature taste and colour are one of the key elements that set its products apart from competitors.

Since launching Hemami as a standalone ingredient and after this legal dispute began, Motif has launched finished plant-based meat products for food service.

“This is not just a victory for Motif – it’s a victory for consumers. For us, this whole process is about protecting innovation and consumer choice in plant-based foods.” Motif CEO Michael Leonard said in a release.

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