USA – The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has affirmed the invalidation of PureCircle’s patents covering the stevia sweetener Rebaudioside M (Reb M).
Sweegen, a primary producer of non-GMO Reb M originating from the stevia leaf, says this appellate victory further solidifies its technological leadership position in the stevia sweetener industry.
The California based company added that this Federal Circuit decision “removes any lingering doubt” that consumer packaged goods customers may be encumbered by PureCircle’s patents for using Sweegen’s Reb M.
Specifically, the federal court’s opinion confirmed a may 2021 district court’s decision that certain claims in the patents were found invalid due to a lack of written description. Additionally, it determined that a specific claim in one of the patents is “unpatentable.”
“As one of the staunchest stewards of proprietary technologies in wellness ingredients, Sweegen has actively defended its intellectual property rights while upholding a commitment to respecting the rights of others,” says Steven Chen, Sweegen’s CEO.
“Throughout this litigation, we consistently asserted the invalidity of PureCircle’s patents, considering its case against Sweegen as baseless and spurious.”
Reb M, a high-purity steviol glycoside derived from the stevia plant, is renowned for its clean and sugar-like taste profile.
It offers a natural, zero-calorie sweetness solution, making it an ideal choice for F&B manufacturers seeking to reduce sugar content and provide healthier options to consumers.
Sweegen’s Reb M ingredient is made with a proprietary clean bioconversion method. The company says the steviol glycoside molecule plays a crucial role in the global production of stevia sweeteners.
In 2023, Sweegen received the greenlight to sell its Bestevia Rebaudioside M (Reb M), which 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar, in the UK.
The regulatory approval marked a significant milestone for Sweegen, as it became the first company to receive authorization for any steviol glycosides produced using alternative technologies in the UK.
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