dsm-firmenich wins patent lawsuit protecting algal oil innovations

dsm-firmenich, the leading innovator in health, nutrition, and beauty, today announces it has won its patent infringement case against Canada-based Mara Renewables Corporation and its UK subsidiary, Algal Omega-3 Ltd (together "Mara/AO3"). The UK High Court of Justice ruled that Mara/AO3's unauthorized use of dsm-firmenich's breakthrough processing technology infringed a valid patent covering algal-based docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) oil development.

The intellectual property at the heart of this litigation protects dsm-firmenich's revolutionary advances in biotechnology and downstream process engineering which enable the development and production of high-purity algal DHA oils with superior sensory profiles. After a trial last fall, it has now been established that Mara/AO3 were infringing a dsm-firmenich patent during a period beginning in 2017.

“This result confirms our contentions that Mara/AO3 have been unlawfully using dsm-firmenich’s legitimate IP rights. We now intend to pursue a full recovery for the damages we have suffered on account of the infringement, and remain even more committed to further defending and enforcing our IP rights in the UK and elsewhere,” said Francois Scheffler, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing and Business Development of dsm-firmenich’s Health, Nutrition, and Care Business Unit.

"Innovation thrives when intellectual property rights are respected," continued James Young, Vice President, Early Life Nutrition, dsm-firmenich. "By protecting our groundbreaking technology, we safeguard not just our own advances but also the quality and integrity of our customers' products. We continue to accelerate investment in next-generation sustainable nutrition solutions that benefit people and planet alike, whilst defending our patented technologies.”

About dsm-firmenich

As innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty, dsm-firmenich reinvents, manufactures, and combines vital nutrients, flavors, and fragrances for the world’s growing population to thrive. With our comprehensive range of solutions, with natural and renewable ingredients and renowned science and technology capabilities, we work to create what is essential for life, desirable for consumers, and more sustainable for the planet. dsm-firmenich is a Swiss-Dutch company, listed on the Euronext Amsterdam, with operations in almost 60 countries and revenues of more than €12 billion. With a diverse, worldwide team of nearly 30,000 employees, we bring progress to life™ every day, everywhere, for billions of people.