Vendor News

Roquette files patent infringement lawsuit against SPI

According to a company note, Roquette Frères filed a suit against SPI Pharma and DryTec in the US District court for the District of Delaware for infringement of Roquette's US patent No 5,573,777. Roquette identifies the Pharmaburst product line of SPI Pharma as infringing products in Roquette's patent infringement lawsuit against SPI. The claims of the patent cover mannitols with physical and functional properties within the ranges claimed in the patent.

The patent also covers the process of spray dry manufacturing of such products. In the initial complaint, Roquette specifically identified SPI's Mannogem EZ as an infringing product. Roquette now has named SPI's Pharmaburst B1 and B2 and C1 as infringing products.

Roquette filed the suit to protect its patented right to be the exclusive seller in the US of mannitol products conforming to the claims of the patent. Roquette's Pearlitol line of spray-dried mannitol offers non-cariogenic and non-hygroscopic spray-dried mannitol products with excellent tableting characteristics. Pearlitol's uniquely controlled particle size distribution also allows good flow and dissolution properties while minimising dust and reducing risk of explosion during production or packaging.