Business
Microbix Wins VIRUSMAX® Patent Challenge In Europe
Novartis Fails to Invalidate Patent Claims TORONTO , Jan. 23, 2014 /CNW/ - Micro...
About this update from Microbix Biosystems Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\nNovartis Fails to Invalidate Patent Claims\n\n\nTORONTO, Jan. 23, 2014 /CNW/ - Microbix Biosystems Inc. (TSX: MBX), an\n innovator of biological products and technologies, announces that it\n has successfully defended all of its VIRUSMAX patent claims against a\n challenge by Novartis at a hearing today at the European Patent Office\n (EPO) in Munich, Germany.\n\n\nNovartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland,\n challenged Microbix' invention of its manufacturing process trademarked\n VIRUSMAX, on several grounds. The EPO Tribunal agreed with Microbix'\n position and ruled that all claims are novel and inventive. Microbix\n therefore retains all of its patent claims as originally granted.\n\n\nVaughn Embro-Pantalony, President and Chief Executive Officer said, \"We\n were surprised when Novartis filed their challenge in 2011, however we\n remained confident in our position and we expected this outcome. The\n EPO's decision reinforces that VIRUSMAX is a novel and inventive\n technology that provides significant manufacturing efficiencies to the\n influenza vaccine industry, thereby increasing global vaccine supply. \n Defending intellectual property rights is a strategic imperative for\n Microbix and we are pleased with this outcome.\"\n\n\nMicrobix has previously announced that it has filed a patent\n infringement proceeding against Novartis in the United States and this\n action is proceeding.\n\n\nAbout Microbix Biosystems\nMicrobix Biosystems Inc. specializes in the development of biological\n solutions, including products for vaccine and diagnostics markets\n worldwide.  The company owns intellectual property for an approved\n biological drug, a vaccine technology and an animal reproduction\n technology.  Established in 1988, Microbix is headquartered in Toronto.\n\n\nMicrobix' pipeline of innovative technologies and products includes\n LumiSort® semen sexing technology for the livestock industry,\n Kinlytic®, a thrombolytic drug with several approved and potential\n applications including the treatment of life-threatening blood clots,\n and VIRUSMAX®, a proprietary technology for increasing virus yields in\n influenza vaccine manufacture.\n\n\nDisclaimer\nThis press release may contain forward-looking statements which are\n subject to risks and uncertainties that...