The manufacturer of nutrients, flavors, and fragrances has initiated a patent infringement litigation in China regarding production of Sclareol via biotechnology.
dsm-firmenich has seized the Xiong’An New District Court of Hebei Province, China, against multiple Chinese entities, including a sclareol producer and a research institute. The legal petition alleges the unauthorized use of dsm-firmenich’s patent for the biotech production of sclareol.
Sclareol is a fragrant chemical compound that can be found in clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.), from which it derives its name. The compound is a key intermediate in the production of amber ingredients such as Ambrox® Super Firmenich filed a patent in 2009 for a biotechnology-based method of producing sclareol.
dsm-firmenich requested that the Court orders the defendants to cease the unauthorized use and provide compensation for the alleged infringement.
“As a global leader in perfumery and beauty innovation, dsm-firmenich holds a robust portfolio of proprietary technologies. Our well-established intellectual property (IP) position, including patent rights and deep know-how on sclareol and related derivatives, enables us to ensure that our customers continue to benefit from our innovation, quality and expertise in amber-type fragrance ingredients,” said Amaury Roquette, Executive Vice President Perfumery & Beauty Ingredients at dsm-firmenich.
“Given the strength of our IP position in sclareol and sclareol-derived products, we remain committed to taking all necessary legal actions to ensure that the company’s exclusive rights are respected and that its significant investments in innovation as well as our clients are protected globally,” he added.
