Swiss-Dutch health, nutrition and beauty innovator dsm-firmenich announced that it has secured a favorable first instance judgment in China for patent infringement against Shandong Haineng Bioengineering Co. Ltd., holding that the manufacturing, sales and offer-for-sale of two Haineng swine compound premixes containing 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 constitute an unlawful use of dsm-firmenich patented technology.

The company is a leading global manufacturer of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 – the major circulating form of vitamin D – which is widely used in animal feed as Hy-D, as well as other applications.

With the recent judgment, Qingdao Intermediate People’s Court in China held Haineng’s infringement of dsm-firmenich patented technology and ordered Haineng to pay compensation for the infringement. While it said it is pleased with the holding of infringement, dsm-firmenich has appealed the judgment for higher compensation. Haineng has also appealed the judgment.

"I would like to express our gratitude to the court for their diligent consideration of the facts and their holding of infringement. This judgment is a validation of our commitment to protecting our intellectual property and our leading scientific innovation in the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 area. We remain dedicated to scientific research and will continue to defend our ideas and products against any infringement,” stated Fidelis Fru, head of business development animal nutrition and health at dsm-firmenich.

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“We look forward to moving ahead with confidence and continuing to provide our customers with the highest-quality products and services designed to support the sustainability and success of the animal feed and animal protein sectors," Fru added.

As an innovator in nutrition, health, and beauty, dsm-firmenich reinvents, manufactures and combines vital nutrients, flavors and fragrances and offers a comprehensive range of solutions using natural and renewable ingredients and renowned science and technology capabilities. dsm-firmenich has dual headquarters in the Netherlands and Switzerland, with operations in almost 60 countries and revenues of more than €12 billion.