Lonza Ltd and Lonza Inc, both subsidiaries of Lonza Group Ltd, filed a series of patent infringement lawsuits against Carnitech Inc and Barrington Chemical Corp. in the District Court for the Southern District of New York, Stauber Performance Ingredients Inc and DNP International Co. Inc in the District Court for the Central District of California, and against Axel Chemicals, LLC in the District Court for the District of New Jersey.
In its lawsuits, Lonza seeks an injunction and damages against Carnitech, Barrington, Stauber and Axel Chemical for infringing Lonza's U.S. Patent No. 5,073,376. This patent covers the production of solid oral dosage forms, including tablets, capsules and other preparation forms, of L-carnitine L-tartrate for enteral administration. Lonza also seeks an injunction and damages against DNP International for violation of Lonza's registered trademark CARNIKING and for violations of several Lonza patents relating to the use of L-carnitine in swine, poultry and racing animals.
Lonza has been a leader in the industry in promoting the nutritional uses of L-carnitine, a nutrient beneficial for weight loss, athletic performance and general cardiovascular health. Lonza has gone to great lengths to develop its patent and trademark portfolio for the nutritional uses of L-carnitine and sees these suits as a significant step in protecting those rights.