Kaneka wins patent infringement lawsuit involving proprietary ubiquinol stabilizing method

Kaneka Corporation has successfully defended its patent for stabilizing ubiquinol. On December 20, 2024, Kaneka won its lawsuit against Designs for Health and American River Nutrition for infringement of Kaneka’s US Patent No. 7,829,080 — the ‘080 Patent.

The ‘080 Patent teaches a method of stabilizing ubiquinol against oxidation with a specific composition of chemical compounds.

Ubiquinol is the reduced form of the health supplement coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant that promotes cellular energy and heart health, which is more absorbable by the body than its oxidized form.

Kaneka commenced its patent infringement action against defendants in 2021 in the US District Court for the District of Delaware.

Senior judge William Bryson of the Federal Circuit, sitting by designation in the District Court, found that Design For Health products, CoQNOL and Q10.1, which contain a formulation of ubiquinol known as DuoQuinol, infringe Kaneka’s ‘080 Patent.

Judge Bryson also rejected defendants’ arguments that the ‘080 Patent was invalid under Section 101 for lack of patent-eligible subject matter, Section 102 for anticipation, Section 103 for obviousness and Section 112 for lack of written description.

Judge Bryson will determine the amount of Kaneka’s monetary damages next year.

“We are pleased that Judge Bryson has vindicated Kaneka’s position that the ‘080 Patent was both infringed and valid,” says Kazuhiko Fujii, president of Kaneka. 

“This victory is tangible proof of Kaneka’s resolve to fully enforce its patent rights, including its patents covering ubiquinol. The protection of Kaneka’s patent rights is paramount to Kaneka’s business. Kaneka’s commitment to protecting these rights is unwavering.”

Nutrition Insight previously caught up with Kaneka Nutrients Europe, alongside other industry experts, to discuss new ingredient solutions ensuring dietary supplements’ bioavailability.

In other developments, a probiotic blend by AB-Biotics and Kaneka Probiotics has been shown to address infants’ colic symptoms better when compared to other strains. The study investigated the strains’ ability to control “crying and fussing time” in colicky infants.