Burcon Receives Notice of Allowance for Canola Protein Isolate Patent

Burcon believes that it is developing – and has developed – a dynamic patent portfolio by aggressively seeking protection not only for its protein extraction technologies but also to protect the applications of its proteins.

30 Sep 2009 --- Burcon NutraScience Corporation has received a notice of allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a patent application covering the composition of the dominant species of protein in Burcon’s Puratein canola protein isolate.

Puratein is a cruciferin-rich canola protein isolate comprised principally of globulin proteins.  The functional properties of Puratein include emulsification, gel formation, thickening, formation of heat-stable foams, and water and ingredient-binding.  Applications for Puratein include dressings and sauces, meat substitutes, baked goods and protein bars, among many others.

Burcon’s patent application which has been allowed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office was originally filed on April 15th 2003 and, importantly, is a “composition of matter” patent.  Burcon believes that it is developing – and has developed – a dynamic patent portfolio by aggressively seeking protection not only for its protein extraction technologies but also to protect the applications of its proteins (for example as functional ingredients in foods and beverages) and to protect the proteins themselves by filing to patent the “signature characteristics” or the “compositional matter” of its proteins.  In addition, Burcon has filed patent applications to cover alternative extraction technologies, which, in Burcon’s opinion, would not be commercially viable.  Such filings have been made as part of Burcon’s defensive strategy to gain as much protection in the protein extraction and purification space as possible.   

“Today’s notice of allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office is particularly encouraging as it is Burcon’s first composition of matter patent application to have been allowed,” said Johann F. Tergesen, President and Chief Operating Officer, adding, “Puratein is an excellent emulsifier that can form opaque heat-induced gels and as such it can be used to replace egg protein in certain applications.”

To-date, Burcon’s patent portfolio consists of 92 issued patents in various countries, including 8 issued U.S. patents, and in excess of 200 additional pending patent applications, 70 of which are U.S. patent applications.  Three of the 70 U.S. patent applications have now been allowed, including the patent allowance which is the subject of this news release, and will be issued as granted U.S. patents in the near future.