Sabinsa Wins Latest Curcumin Patent Infringement Lawsuit

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Curcumin-ingredients supplier Sabinsa Corp. (East Windsor, NJ) has prevailed in its latest patent-infringement lawsuit, this time against Olive Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., a botanical extract supplier based in India. Sabinsa announced that in April, the United States District Court in New Jersey awarded the company $850,000 in damages, ruling that Olive Lifesciences infringed on Sabinsa’s patent covering novel methods and formulations for producing tetrahydrocurcuminoids.

Tetrahydrocurcuminoids are metabolites of the curcuminoids found in turmeric (Curcuma longa). Sabinsa’s researchers have long contended that these tetrahydrocurcuminoids are superior to curcuminoids, providing more active and effective benefits, including stronger physiological effects and better absorption. Since 2003, Sabinsa has held a U.S. patent (#6,653,327) covering compositional claims as well as several topical and oral applications of tetrahydrocurcuminoids. Sabinsa markets its trademarked and colorless tetrahydrocurcuminoid Curcumin C3 Reduct ingredient under the umbrella of this patent. Sabinsa also retains tetrahydrocurcuminoids patents in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

The New Jersey District Court judge ruled that Olive Lifesciences willfully infringed on Sabinsa’s patent. The company has vigorously defended its tetrahydrocurcuminoids patent. In July 2017, it won consent judgment against a company called Aegle Bios Inc., over the same patent, and has obtained final judgments against two other companies, Chemill Inc. and Nachurel Ingredients, as well. In 2016, Sabinsa announced that it had entered into a licensing agreement with Chemill.

In a press release announcing the firm’s latest victory, Sabinsa’s founder, Muhammed Majeed, PhD, stated, “As a pioneer in the industry, Sabinsa has researched and developed many innovative products used by the nutritional supplement industry. The success has spawned many imitators, and Sabinsa will not hesitate to enforce its patents and other intellectual property.”

“Sabinsa can now point to a string of patent victories after this latest judgment,” said James H. Hulme, Sabinsa’s counsel.

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