DuPont settles patent case with Bio-Rad Laboratories

DuPont has announced that it has settled patent infringement litigation against Bio-Rad Industries, Inc. of Hercules, Calif.

The patents-in-suit related to low-heat generating fluorometer devices usable in assays based on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology, such as the award-winning BAX(R) System from DuPont Qualicon. Under the settlement, Bio-Rad was granted a non-exclusive license to the DuPont patents. Other terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

"DuPont has a long heritage and commitment to developing sustainable products for this industry," said Kevin Huttman, president of DuPont Qualicon. "To continue with future innovations, we must protect our investment in this technology through aggressive assertion of our patent rights when we believe they are being violated."

DuPont Qualicon sells DNA-based microbial detection systems covered by the DuPont patents under the trade name BAX(R) System. In the food industry, this system can be used to test samples for contamination with microorganisms. DuPont Qualicon recently received the 2006 North American Excellence in Technology Award from Frost & Sullivan in the field of pathogen detection for the development of its DNA-based BAX(R) system.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont(TM), The miracles of science(TM), and BAX(R) are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.

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