Medytox Files Complaint Against Hugel at US ITC for "Strain and Manufacturing Process Theft"... Hugel Claims "Attempt to Hamper US Market Entry" (Summary)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Legal disputes among domestic botulinum toxin companies have flared up again. Medytox filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), alleging that Hugel stole its bacterial strains and manufacturing processes, to which Hugel immediately responded with strong opposition.

According to the pharmaceutical and bio industry on the 1st, Medytox filed a complaint on the 30th of last month (local time) against Hugel, Hugel America, and Chroma Pharma with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).

In the complaint, Medytox stated, "Hugel developed and produced botulinum toxin products by stealing Medytox's botulinum bacterial strains and manufacturing processes, which are trade secrets, and is attempting to export these illegal drugs to the United States."

They also argued, "The ITC should initiate an investigation into Hugel's illegal activities and issue an import ban order on the relevant botulinum toxin products." They demanded sales bans, as well as suspension of marketing and advertising, for Hugel products already imported into the U.S.

Jung Hyun-ho, CEO of Medytox, said, "As a global leader leading the world botulinum toxin market, Medytox has made every effort to protect its intellectual property rights such as bacterial strains and manufacturing processes," adding, "We will maximize the value of the company and shareholders by protecting intellectual property rights through all means, including legal actions."

Medytox explained that the litigation costs will be borne by a global litigation and dispute resolution specialized investment company. They added that this company is an investor mainly composed of lawyers who cover litigation costs on behalf of the parties and receive a certain percentage of the awarded damages upon winning.

In response to Medytox's ITC complaint, Hugel immediately rebutted and announced its intention to take strong legal action. Hugel stated, "This is a completely false claim that is not true at all," and "The ITC lawsuit is an unfounded and excessive complaint."

Hugel further argued, "As the industry’s number one company that has legitimately developed and distributed products, holding the number one position in the domestic market for six consecutive years and successfully entering the Chinese and European markets to elevate the status of Korea’s toxin industry, Medytox’s unjust suspicion against us now can only be seen as a typical ‘foot-dragging’ tactic as our entry into the U.S. market approaches."

They added, "Medytox’s behavior of damaging other companies’ reputations and trying to hinder growth through slander based on unfounded false claims, rather than competing fairly in the market with product quality and marketing, seriously harms industrial development and national interests," and "We will respond confidently through all strong legal measures."

Medytox is also continuing legal disputes with Daewoong Pharmaceutical. Earlier in February, prosecutors cleared Daewoong Pharmaceutical of charges. It is known that the civil lawsuits between the two companies are still ongoing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.