Abbott’s Similac Formulas Face Patent Suit on Key Ingredient (1)

Abbott Laboratories was hit with a federal lawsuit in Texas alleging that three of its Similac-branded infant formula products contain a complex sugar derived from human breast milk that’s made by a supplier using methods that infringe a Glycosyn LLC patent.

Similac Pro-Advance, Similac Pro-Sensitive, and Similac Pro-Total Comfort contain a human milk oligosaccharide, or HMO, called 2'-FL, according to a complaint filed Tuesday in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas. HMO is a complex sugar derived from breast milk that helps improve immunity in babies and can treat diarrhea and respiratory infections in children and ...