Sabinsa's Bioperine Patent Valid in Formal Review

20/12/06 The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has completed a formal review of Sabinsa Corporation's Patent No. 5,972,382, "Use of piperine as a bioavailability enhancer" and concluded that all points outlined within the patent are valid.

Four examiners with the USPTO extensively reviewed the patent, which is one of 5 granted that surrounds Sabinsa's branded ingredient Bioperine, a standardized piperine composition derived from black pepper extract that has been shown in clinical research to increase the absorption of nutrients in nutritional supplement formulations. 
 
This assessment reaffirms that Bioperine is the only black pepper extract that can legally be used in nutritional supplements for the purpose of enhancing the bioavailability of nutrients.

"This independent review ensures that all claims outlined in this patent are valid, and that companies selling piperine containing black pepper extracts for the express or implied purpose of nutrient absorption enhancement are clearly infringing on this patent," stated 

Todd Norton, president, Sabinsa Corporation. "There really is no  other purpose or application for using piperine in nutritional formulations.  We hope that any company illegally selling black pepper extracts will cease and desist immediately."
 
Sabinsa Corporation, founded in 1988, is a manufacturer and supplier of herbal extracts, cosmeceuticals, minerals and specialty fine chemicals.  Sabinsa's mission is to provide alternative and complementary natural products for human nutrition and well-being.  

Over the past nine years, Sabinsa has brought to market more than 50 standardized botanical extracts and privately funded several clinical studies in conjunction with prestigious institutions in support of these products.  With more than 100 scientists working full time conducting ongoing research both in India and the United States, Sabinsa continues to develop and patent phytonutrients for the world market.