dsm-firmenich wins €1 million compensation in biotin patent fight
The company expressed its satisfaction with the holding of infringement but announced it has filed an appeal with the Supreme People’s Court of China seeking higher compensation.
The case was between the Swiss-Dutch multinational and Zhejiang Shengda Bio-pharm Co., Ltd. and Anhui Shengda Bio-pharm Co., Ltd. (collectively ‘Shengda’). Shengda has also appealed the 8.1 million Chinese yuan renminbi (CNY) judgment, which was handed down by the Hefei Intermediate People’s Court in Anhui Province, China.
“Our biotin production technology sets the industry standard for quality and effectiveness,” said Kelsey Achenbach, vice president of pharma, health, nutrition & care at dsm-firmenich. “It is reassuring to see that the court is protecting legitimate intellectual property rights, so supporting innovation, investment and economic development.
“As a leading innovator, we are strongly committed to safeguarding our intellectual property and cutting-edge technologies and will continue to take action when our rights are violated.”
Biotin market
Biotin (vitamin B7) is found in the diet in things like eggs, milk and bananas. It is one of the key ingredients in the booming beauty-from-within category, often featuring in supplements positioned for hair, skin and nail health.
Biotin is on the EU register of authorized claims under the nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) for "contributing to the maintenance of normal hair".
According to Future Market Insights, the global biotin supplement market was estimated to be worth almost US$ 4 billion in 2023 and is expected grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% to reach approximately US$ 8.3 billion by 2033.
