dsm-firmenich has successfully defended its Chinese patent relating to swine compound premixes containing 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, following a favourable judgement from the Beijing Intellectual Property Court.
The judgement upheld an earlier decision by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) to maintain the patent. Shandong Haineng Bioengineering Co. Ltd., which challenged the patent, has filed an appeal.
This marks the second invalidation challenge by Haineng that has failed.
25-hydroxyvitamin D3 is the major circulating form of vitamin D. dsm-firmenich manufactures the ingredient for animal feed under its Hy-D® brand.
“We are pleased with the consistent recognition of our innovations by the court and CNIPA,” said Fidelis Fru, head of Business Development Animal Nutrition & Health at dsm-firmenich. “It is an example of the strength of our robust patent portfolio in the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 area.”
dsm-firmenich stated it will monitor third-party activities for potential infringement and act to protect against unauthorised use of its patented technology.
