Ceva confirmed that Forceris, its patented injectable combination product for the prevention of iron deficiency anaemia and treatment of coccidiosis in piglets, will now be available to all European swine producers.
Initial results from producers using Forceris have been extremely encouraging, creating strong demand and frustration in many markets, who were blocked from purchasing the product by Bayer’s aggressive legal actions.
Following the launch of Forceris in May 2019, Bayer Animal Health brought infringement proceedings against Ceva in several European countries, arguing that Ceva’s injectable product infringed the patent EP2164496. However, on 17 September 2020, the Technical Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office revoked Bayer’s patent for lack of inventive step. This decision is final and is not subject to any further appeal.
Commenting on the decision, Valerie Mazeaud, Ceva’s Global Legal Director said, “we are obviously pleased that the EPO ruled that the Bayer patent was invalid and that this innovative product, Forceris, will now be freely available to the benefit of all our customers across Europe."
