McLean, VA – Mars, Incorporated announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against cocoa flavanol extract supplier Naturex, makers of the Cocoactiv product, and against cocoa flavanol supplement manufacturers Nutraceuticals (makers of the Solaray products) and Life Extension Foundation (makers of the Cocoa Gold products) for infringement of nine US patents owned by Mars. The suit was filed in the US District Court in Alexandria, VA and requests that an injunction be granted to stop infringing sales and the promotion of the supplements for patented uses.

Mars is the maker of CirkuHealth™ brand cocoa flavanol supplement products. For nearly two decades, Mars has been studying the process of measuring and maximizing the retention of cocoa flavanols and uncovering their related health benefits, resulting in over 100 scientific publications and a broad patent portfolio. This suit is consistent with the long-standing commitment at Mars to vigorously enforce its patent portfolio .

About Mars, Incorporated

Mars, Incorporated is a private, family-owned company founded in 1911 and employing more than 65,000 associates at over 230 sites, including 135 factories, in 68 countries worldwide. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, U.S.A., Mars, Incorporated is one of the world’s largest food companies, generating global revenues of more than $28 billion annually and operating in six business segments: Chocolate, Petcare, Wrigley Gum and Confections, Food, Drinks, and Symbioscience. These segments produce some of the world’s leading brands: Chocolate – M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Petcare – PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA®, CESAR® and ROYAL CANIN®; Wrigley – ORBIT®, EXTRA®, STARBURST®, DOUBLEMINT® and SKITTLES®; Food – UNCLE BEN’S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS® and SEEDS OF CHANGE®; Drinks – KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – WISDOM PANEL™, SERAMIS®, and CIRKUHEALTH®.