Ajinomoto Co., Inc. and AJINOMOTO EUROLYSINE S.A.S. Obtain Final
Judgment in Their Favor in the Patent Infringement Lawsuit regarding
Feed-Use Lysine in the Netherlands
TOKYO, September 29, 2016 – The Court of Appeal of The Hague in the Netherlands has rendered its judgment in the patent infringement lawsuit regarding feed-use lysine initiated in 2013 by Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (“Ajinomoto Co.”) and its consolidated subsidiary AJINOMOTO EUROLYSINE S.A.S. (collectively the “Companies”) against Global Bio-chem Technology Group Company Ltd. with its subsidiaries (collectively “GBT”). The judgment was in favor of the Companies and is now final.

In the first instance, the District Court of The Hague held that the patent owned by Ajinomoto Co. (EP 1 664 318) was invalid and dismissed their claims. However, the Court of Appeal of The Hague rendered a judgment on April 26, 2016, in which the lower court’s ruling was overturned. The Court of Appeals found that the patent is valid and that GBT infringed the patent. As GBT did not file an appeal against this judgment, the Companies have finally won the lawsuit. Offers for sale, sales, use and import of the infringing lysine product by GBT are prohibited until 2025, when the patent expires. Counterparts of the patent have been registered in 20 countries so far, including 10 in Europe in addition to the Netherlands.

The Ajinomoto Group has been making intensive investments in R&D to develop more advanced production technologies for amino acids and to contribute to the feed and animal nutrition industry as a leading global company in amino acids. The Ajinomoto Group believes that infringement of its intellectual property obstructs its R&D efforts and will therefore continue to pursue necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights.

Reference

Overview of AJINOMOTO EUROLYSINE S.A.S.
(1) Name: AJINOMOTO EUROLYSINE S.A.S.
(2) Location: Paris, France
(3) Established: August 14, 1974
(4) Representative: Daniel Bercovici, President
(5) Business description: Manufacture and sale of feed-use amino acids and their byproducts
(6) Capital: EUR 27 million
(7) Equity ownership: Ajinomoto Animal Nutrition Group, Inc. 100%

About Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
Ajinomoto Co. is a global manufacturer of high-quality seasonings, processed foods, beverages, amino acids, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. For many decades Ajinomoto Co. has contributed to food culture and human health through wide-ranging application of amino acid technologies. Today, the company is becoming increasingly involved with solutions for improved food resources, human health and global sustainability. Founded in 1909 and now operating in 27 countries and regions, Ajinomoto Co. had net sales of JPY 1,185.9 billion (USD 9.87 billion) in fiscal 2015. For more about Ajinomoto Co. (TYO: 2802), visit www.ajinomoto.com.

For further information, please contact:
Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Public Communications Department; pr_info@ajinomoto.com
 
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