Sep 12
DEFOREST, Wis. (Sept. 12, 2019)—ABS Global (ABS), a division of Genus plc, announced today that while disappointed in an unfavorable jury ruling in the patent case between it and ST, ABS remains focused on responding to the increasing demand in the market for Sexcel® sexed genetics.
The growth in Sexcel is driven by ABS’ continued investment in its genetic lineup and in improvements to the IntelliGen® technology. ABS will continue to provide the most elite sexed genetics to producers around the world.
“While disappointed in the jury decision, it’s important for our customers to know they will have no interruption in availability of Sexcel, powered by IntelliGen Technologies,” noted Nate Zwald, COO. “We are continuing to grow our offerings to meet the needs of dairy and beef producers around the world.”
This litigation has been part of a long-running dispute between ST and ABS/IntelliGen Technologies. In 2017, the federal court agreed with ABS and found that ST held an illegal monopoly in the processing of sexed bovine semen in the U.S., permitting Genus to launch its semen sexing technology known as Genus IntelliGen Technologies. The current patent litigation was brought by ST after the court’s prior decision.
The jury in this second case found that the IntelliGen technology infringed two new patents related to a small component of the technology called the microfluidic chip. ABS incorporated a new, non-infringing chip in the technology earlier this year which means ABS will incur no additional costs as a result of the jury verdict moving forward. Prior to the recent trial, ABS successfully invalidated or demonstrated non-infringement of five of ST’s patents.
“Fortunately, during this long litigation period, we have continued to improve the technology which now incorporates the non-infringing chip in our proprietary IntelliGen technology,” added Zwald. “We’re happy to have earlier succeeded in creating an open market in the sexed semen space. That has and will continue to benefit ABS customers and the industry by providing a choice in sexed semen technology. Maintaining competition in the market for the processing of sexed bovine semen is important for all dairy and beef producers.”
About ABS
Headquartered in DeForest, Wisconsin, U.S.A., ABS Global is the world‐leading provider of bovine genetics, reproduction services, artificial insemination technologies, and udder care products. Marketing in more than 70 countries around the globe, ABS has been at the forefront of animal genetics and technology since its founding in 1941. ABS Global is a division of Genus plc.
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