31 Aug 2010 07:00
PureCircle receives Notice of Allowance for Patent on stevia production processes
("PureCircle or the Company")
PureCircle (LSE: PURE), the world's leading producer of high purity stevia products, is pleased to announce it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its patent application on the production of high purity stevia sweeteners. The Notice of Allowance is related to the process and method of producing a range of high purity stevia sweeteners from the Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant including the production of high purity stevia extract, as well as the isolation and purification of rebaudioside A and enzymatically treated steviol glycosides. On issuance of this U.S. patent, it will provide the Company with strong competitive advantage and protections across PureCircle's portfolio of high purity stevia products. The issued U.S. patent is expected to expire in 2025.
Beyond this patent application, PureCircle has a total of 49 additional patent applications in various stages in the review process, submitted across global markets, which would further establish barriers to entry in the stevia industry.
Magomet Malsagov, CEO and Managing Director of PureCircle Limited, said: "This patent underscores the strength of our R&D and operations teams as pioneers within the stevia industry. PureCircle's ability to produce consistent, high quality product in large scale, continues to be a leading source of competitive advantage as it allows us to deliver on the expectations of the world's leading food and beverage manufacturers. We are pleased to be able to add this process and method patent to our growing portfolio of patents."
About PureCircle
PureCircle (www.purecircle.com) is the global leader in the production of high purity stevia products. PureCircle is leading the industry with the development of a strong sustainable natural supply chain. Stevia is now being grown for PureCircle in more than 15 countries across South America, Africa, and Asia, and the United States providing a sustainable cash crop for rural farming communities in each region. As part of its leadership of the stevia industry, PureCircle has pioneered the industry trust mark "Naturally Sweetened with Stevia by PureCircle" that educates consumers about the benefits of stevia and provides a strong basis for trust for both consumers and Food and Beverage companies alike.
PureCircle's global headquarters are in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. PureCircle shares are traded on the LSE AiM index.
For More Information
| PureCircle Limited (www.purecircle.com) | |
| Magomet Malsagov, Managing Director | +60 1 2388 8049 |
| William Mitchell, Finance Director | +44 7974 005 163 |
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| Westport Communications | +44 20 7065 2690 |
| Alan Frame | alan@westportcomms.com |
| Jeanette Bishop | jeanette@westportcomms.com |
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| RFC Corporate Finance Ltd | +61 8 9480 2500 |
| Stephen Allen | |