TORONTO, July 10, 2014 /CNW/ - Microbix Biosystems
Inc. (TSX: MBX), an innovator of biological products and
technologies, announced today it has commenced a new patent
litigation in the Court of Dusseldorf,
Germany against Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, alleging
infringement of its VIRUSMAX® patent in Europe. Microbix filed its first complaint
against Novartis in the Eastern District of Texas on January 6,
2014, alleging infringement of its VIRUSMAX® patent in
the United States.
Microbix successfully defended its European VIRUSMAX® patent
against Novartis' Opposition at the European Patent Office in
January 2014 when, following a
hearing in Munich, the Office
rendered a decision in favour of Microbix and confirmed that the
VIRUSMAX® technology is a novel, useful and non-obvious invention.
Novartis has now appealed that decision. Microbix was also granted
patents for the VIRUSMAX® technology in twenty-one countries
between 2006 and 2011.
Microbix' VIRUSMAX® technology is used for increasing virus
yields in egg-based vaccine manufacture. The patent application was
first published internationally in 2004. At that time, governments,
the World Health Organization and public health authorities
worldwide expressed growing concern about limited global vaccine
manufacturing capacity and supply, especially in light of a
potential influenza pandemic.
An independent study published in the Journal of Vaccine in 2007
reported that the application of VIRUSMAX® technology led to a
significant increase in flu virus production in eggs. These trials
used methods comparable to those employed in seasonal influenza
vaccine manufacture. The Company has also demonstrated substantial
yield increases over conventional manufacturing processes for a
number of influenza vaccine strains using its technology.
Vaughn Embro-Pantalony, President
and Chief Executive Officer said, "Microbix discovered the presence
of large quantities of flu virus in eggs that was previously
unrecognized by the industry. VIRUSMAX® is the innovative
manufacturing process developed by Microbix for the vaccine
industry based on that discovery. Following the successful defense
of our European patent in January
2014, we are taking this next step to enforce our
intellectual property rights in Europe."
About Microbix Biosystems
Microbix Biosystems Inc.
specializes in the development of biological solutions, including
products for vaccine and diagnostics markets worldwide. The Company
owns intellectual property for an approved biological drug, a
vaccine technology and an animal reproduction technology.
Established in 1988, Microbix is headquartered in Toronto.
Microbix' pipeline of innovative technologies and products
includes LumiSort® semen sexing technology for the livestock
industries, and Kinlytic®, a thrombolytic drug with several
approved and potential applications including the treatment of
life-threatening blood clots.
Disclaimer
This press release may contain
forward-looking statements which are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those set forth in the forward-looking statements including
the risks associated with litigation, operations in foreign
jurisdictions, foreign currency and exchange rate risk, and risks
of raising capital on acceptable terms or at all. Thesestatements
reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and
expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The
Company cautions that all forward looking information is inherently
uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number
of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's
control. Accordingly, actual future events, conditions and results
may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and
expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking
information. All statements are made as of the date of thisnews
releaseand the Company is under no obligation to update or alter
any forward-looking information.
Please visit www.sedar.com for recent Microbix Biosystems Inc.
filings on its pipeline products and financial information.
SOURCE Microbix Biosystems Inc.