Enzymatic Therapy and University of Maryland scientist file lawsuits against five natural product industry manufacturers.

Enzymatic Therapy (Green Bay, WI; 920-469-1313) and Abulkalam M. Shamsuddin, MD, PhD filed Complaints with the United States District Court for the District of Maryland against Solaray, Inc., and its parent, Nutraceutical International Corporation, BNG Enterprises, Inc.; Jarrow Formulas, Inc.; Lifesource Naturals; and Water Pure, Inc. doing business as Purity Products.

The Complaints allege that each of these defendants has directly infringed, contributorily infringed and/or actively induced the infringement of one or more claims of United States Patent 5,082,833, entitled "Reduction of Cell Proliferation and Enhancement of NK-Cell Activity," in marketing and selling their IP-6 products. Dr. Shamsuddin is the inventor and owner of the '833 patent and Enzymatic Therapy is the exclusive licensee under the patent. The Enzymatic Therapy product covered by the '833 patent is marketed under the name "Cell Forte with IP-6 and Inositol."

The Complaints against Solaray and Nutraceutical, Jarrow Formulas, Lifesource Naturals and Water Pure further allege unfair competition in violation of federal law and invasion of the right to privacy under Maryland law, based in part on these companies' unauthorized use of Dr. Shamsuddin's name and reputation in marketing and advertising their IP-6 products. The Plaintiffs also allege that Solaray has made unauthorized use of Enzymatic Therapy's copyrighted materials in promoting its product.

The Complaints filed by Dr. Shamsuddin and Enzymatic Therapy seek an injunction, compensatory damages, and increased and/or punitive damages based on the defendants' willful and deliberate unlawful conduct. Dr. Shamsuddin and Enzymatic Therapy intend to bring additional actions to the extent necessary to protect their patent, copyright, and other intellectual property rights.

Dr. Shamsuddin is a professor of pathology at The University of Maryland School of Medicine (Baltimore, MD). Dr. Shamsuddin's major research focus includes carcinogenesis and inositol phosphates.

Enzymatic Therapy is an FDA-registered manufacturer of over 200 natural medicines, nutritional supplements, vitamins and herbal extracts. The company was the first to introduce Ginkgo biloba, glucosamine sulfate and the standardization of botanicals to the United States health market. Enzymatic Therapy distributes its product line to health food stores nationwide.