LAVAL, Quebec, July 9, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. (“Neptune” or the “Corporation”) (NASDAQ:NEPT) (TSX:NTB), announces that the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has denied Aker and Enzymotec’s (collectively the “Petitioner”) request for a rehearing of certain claims in Neptune’s ‘351 patent (U.S. Patent: 8,278,351).
Based on their review of Aker and Enzymotec’s petition, the PTAB highlighted that the Petitioner has not shown that the PTAB misapprehended or overlooked any matter, thus reconfirming the validity of the specific Neptune claims.
Background
Under separate royalty agreements with Aker and Enzymotec, royalty payments to Neptune in the US depended on the PTAB’s review of certain claims in Neptune’s ‘351 patent. On March 23, 2015 the PTAB issued a favourable decision, confirming the validity of certain claims. This in turn activated on-going royalty payments to Neptune by Aker and Enzymotec. On April 23, 2015, Aker and Enzymotec filed a request with the PTAB for a rehearing of the claims that were shown to be patentable. On July 8, 2015 the PTAB upheld its original decision and denied their request for a rehearing.
About Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc.
Neptune is a biotechnology company engaged primarily in the development and commercialization of marine-derived omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (''PUFAs’’). Neptune has a patented process of extracting oils from Antarctic krill, and principally sells omega-3 PUFAs as bulk oil to Neptune’s distributors who commercialize them under their private label primarily in the U.S., European and Australian nutraceutical markets. Neptune’s products generally come in bulk oil or capsule form and serve as a dietary supplement to consumers. Neptune’s head office is located at 545 Promenade du Centropolis, Suite 100, Laval, Quebec.
Through its subsidiary Acasti Pharma Inc. (“Acasti”), in which Neptune holds approximately 48% of the participating and voting rights, Neptune is also pursuing opportunities in the medical food and prescription drug markets. Acasti focuses on the research and development of safe and therapeutically effective compounds for highly prevalent atherosclerotic conditions, such as cardiometabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Its lead prescription drug candidate is CaPre®, a purified high omega-3 phospholipid concentrate derived from Neptune krill oil being developed to address the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic disorders, including hypertriglyceridemia, which is characterized by abnormally high levels of triglycerides.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. securities laws and Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other unknown factors that could cause the actual results of Neptune to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements which explicitly describe such risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements labeled with the terms “believes,” “belief,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “will,” or “plans” to be uncertain and forward-looking. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information” section contained in Neptune’s latest Annual Information Form, which also forms part of Neptune’s latest annual report on Form 40-F, and which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com , on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml and on the investor section of Neptune’s website at www.neptunebiotech.com (the “AIF”). All forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Neptune does not undertake to update any such forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in Neptune public securities filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities commissions. Additional information about these assumptions and risks and uncertainties is contained in the AIF under “Risk Factors”.
Neither NASDAQ nor the Toronto Stock Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
CONTACT: Neptune Contacts: John Ripplinger Investor Relations +1.450.687.2262 j.ripplinger@neptunebiotech.com neptunebiotech.com
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