Sweegen Wins Challenges to Rival’s Artificial Sweetener Patents

Sweegen Inc. convinced a California district court that two PureCircle USA Inc. patents related to artificial sweeteners are invalid because they don’t adequately describe an invention.

Judge James Selna in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California also ruled Monday certain parts of the patents are invalid because they cover a natural process that isn’t eligible for protection.

The patents cover a method of making a specific kind of artificial sweetener, called Rebaudioside M. Derived from the stevia plant, Reb M is used as a sugar substitute in things like beverages and dairy products. PureCircle alleged Sweegen’s ...