October 12, 2012
News Release 12-107
Inv. No. 337-TA-857
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin; 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain reduced folate nutraceutical products and l-methylfolate raw ingredients used therein. The products at issue in this investigation are nutraceutical products that contain reduced folates.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by South Alabama Medical Science Foundation of Mobile, AL; Merck & Cie of Switzerland; and Pamlab LLC of Covington, LA, on September 10, 2012. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain reduced folate nutraceutical products and l- methylfolate raw ingredients used therein that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue an exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Gnosis SpA of Italy;
Gnosis Bioresearch SA of Switzerland;
Gnosis USA Inc. of Doylestown, PA; and
Macoven Pharmaceuticals LLC of Magnolia, TX.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-857), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC's Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC's six administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.