Neptune Confirms Its Pre-eminence in the Australian Market
2012年5月8日 - 9:00PM
Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. ("Neptune")
(Nasdaq:NEPT) (TSX:NTB) announces that Aker Biomarine's newly
granted Australian patent (AU2008231570) has no impact on Neptune's
position as the leading krill oil provider to the Australian
market.
As Neptune was exploiting or had taken definite steps to exploit
its krill oil prior to the earliest claimed priority date of Aker's
patent application, under Australian patent law Neptune has a
complete defense to infringement due to prior use. This means
that Aker's patent is unenforceable in relation to Neptune Krill
Oil. In fact, Neptune believes that Aker's patent is most likely
invalid, including in view of publications by Neptune and others
which predate Aker's patent.
Contrary to Aker's statement that it has obtained the first
granted and enforceable krill oil patent in Australia, Neptune
notes that it is the exclusive licensee of a foundational patent
for krill oil extraction (AU1999064552) that was granted in January
2004 well before Aker filed for Australian patent protection in
March 2008.
Furthermore, Neptune's own patent application in Australia
(AU2002322233), filed in July 2002 (over five years before Aker's
patent application), which claims krill oil with the key
compositional features of Neptune Krill Oil, creates a considerable
commercial impediment to the sale of Aker's krill oil products in
Australia. This patent application rightfully reflects
Neptune's role as the pioneer in the krill oil space, and Aker has
opposed it. Neptune is aggressively defending its position
that the Australian Patent Office was correct in accepting this
patent application and fully expects that Aker's opposition will be
dismissed and the patent will be granted in due course.
As stated by Henri Harland, President and CEO of Neptune,
"Aker's new patent has no bearing on our business. We are
confident that our own existing and soon to be issued patents
ensure that Neptune's leading role in the Australian market will
remain for many years."
About Neptune Technologies & Bioressources
Inc.
Neptune is an industry-recognized leader in the innovation,
production and formulation of science-based and clinically proven
novel phospholipid products for the nutraceutical and
pharmaceutical markets. The Company focuses on growing consumer
health markets including cardiovascular, inflammatory and
neurological diseases driven by consumers taking a more proactive
approach to managing health and preventing disease. The Company
sponsors clinical trials aimed to demonstrate its product health
benefits and to obtain regulatory approval for label health claims.
Neptune is continuously expanding its intellectual property
portfolio as well as clinical studies and regulatory approvals.
Neptune's products are marketed and distributed in over 30
countries worldwide.
About Acasti Pharma Inc.
Acasti Pharma (TSX-V:APO) is developing a product portfolio of
proprietary novel long-chain omega-3 phospholipids. Phospholipids
are the major component of cell membranes and are essential for all
vital cell processes. They are one of the principal constituents of
High Density Lipoprotein (good cholesterol) and, as such, play an
important role in modulating cholesterol efflux. Acasti Pharma's
proprietary novel phospholipids carry and functionalize the
polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which have been
shown to have substantial health benefits and which are stabilized
by astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant. Acasti Pharma is focusing
initially on treatments for chronic cardiovascular and
cardiometabolic conditions within the over-the-counter, medical
food and prescription drug markets.
About NeuroBioPharm Inc.
NeuroBioPharm is pursuing pharmaceutical neurological
applications, and a clinical study for a medical food product with
a multinational partner is already initiated. The development of a
prescription drug candidate is currently in progress. Advanced
clinical development and commercialization is planned to be carried
out with multinational partners.
"Neither Nasdaq nor the TSX nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the
TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release."
Statements in this press release that are not statements of
historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties, and other unknown factors that could cause the
actual results of the Company to be materially different from
historical results or from any future results expressed or implied
by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements which
explicitly describe such risks and uncertainties, readers are
urged to consider statements labeled with the terms "believes,"
"belief," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "will," or
"plans" to be uncertain and forward-looking. The forward-looking
statements contained herein are also subject generally to other
risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the
Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and the Canadian securities commissions.
CONTACT: Neptune Contact:
Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc.
Andre Godin, CFO
+1.450.687.2262
a.godin@neptunebiotech.com
www.neptunebiotech.com
Howard Group Contact:
Dave Burwell
(888) 221-0915
dave@howardgroupinc.com
www.howardgroupinc.com
Neptune Wellness Solutions (NASDAQ:NEPT)
過去 株価チャート
から 6 2024 まで 7 2024
Neptune Wellness Solutions (NASDAQ:NEPT)
過去 株価チャート
から 7 2023 まで 7 2024