The Zhengzhou Court in the Henan province of China has ruled in favour of FMC Corporation in a patent infringement lawsuit against four defendants: Henan Yongfeng Chemical Co; Suqian Haide Pharmaceutical and Chemical Co; Xinxiang Runyu New Material Technology Co; and Wang Shichao.

FMC filed the lawsuit in May 2022 against the defendants for infringement of a patented key intermediate, used in the manufacture of chlorantraniliprole, FMC’s leading insect control active ingredient found in Coragen, Altacor and Vantacor brands.

On 9 September 2022 all the defendants were found guilty by the Chinese court of infringing FMC’s composition of matter patent for a key intermediate to manufacture chlorantraniliprole and ordered to compensate FMC for related damages.

“FMC appreciates the court issuing this quick judgment to protect FMC’s intellectual property rights in China,” said Pramod Thota, president for FMC in Asia Pacific.

“Intellectual property rights encourage the continued innovation of crop protection solutions by recognising the significant time, money and commitment invested in discovering new active ingredients.

“These rights exist in the interest of farmers, customers, investors, employees, suppliers and partners,” Mr Thota said.

“FMC has continued to demonstrate that we have extensive and defensible patents covering manufacturing, manufacturing ingredients, formulation and use that extends well beyond the chlorantraniliprole active ingredient composition of matter patent.

“We will continue to vigorously defend our intellectual property in China and around the world.”

Mr Thota said FMC invests heavily in the discovery of new active ingredients, the development of innovative formulations and biologicals in addition to the advancement of precision and digital agriculture technologies that support sustainable agriculture and improved food security.