Lonza Ltd and Lonza Inc, both subsidiaries of Swiss chemicals company Lonza Group, have filed a series of patent infringement lawsuits against supplement companies in the US.
Lonza is suing Carnitech and Barrington Chemical in the District Court for the Southern District of New York, Stauber Performance Ingredients and DNP International in the District Court for the Central District of California and Axel Chemicals in the District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Lonza is seeking an injunction and damages against Carnitech, Barrington, Stauber and Axel Chemical for infringing Lonza's US patent (number 5,073,376) which covers the production of solid oral dosage forms, including tablets, capsules and other preparation forms, of L-carnitine L-tartrate for enteral administration.
Lonza is also seeking an injunction and damages against DNP International for violation of Lonza's registered trademark CARNIKING and for violations of several Lonza patents relating to the use of L-carnitine in swine, poultry and racing animals.
Lonza is a leading supplier of L-carnitine, a nutrient claimed to be beneficial for weight loss, athletic performance and general cardiovascular health.In a statement the company said: "Lonza has gone to great lengths to develop its patent and trademark portfolio for the nutritional uses of L-carnitine and sees these suits as a significant step in protecting those rights."
The Lonza Group had sales of SF2.5 billion (€1.7bn) in 2001 and employs 6 400 people worldwide. Its products are used by the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries, and also for use in vitamins, food, dyes, adhesives and fragrances.