Federal Court Denies Pure Hemp Collective’s Early Motion for Summary Judgment
DENVER, April 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United
Cannabis Corporation (CNAB) (the “Companyâ€
or “United Cannabisâ€) surpassed a significant hurdle in its pending
patent infringement case against Pure Hemp Collective when United
States District Judge William Martinez held that “[d]espite the
ambiguities, the Court is convinced under the current state of the
case law that the challenged claims of the 911 Patent are not
directed at unpatentable subject matter . . . Pure Hemp has failed
to establish beyond genuine dispute that a liquefied version of
cannabinoids and related chemicals at the concentrations specified
in the 911 Patent is anything like a natural
phenomenon.â€
The Court also dispensed with Pure Hemp’s contention that Claim 31 of the 911 Patent, a dependent claim that adds a medium chain triglyceride (MCT) to the claimed formulations, was invalid under 35 U.S.C. § 112. Noting that United Cannabis had previously corrected a multiple dependency problem via disclaimer, Judge Martinez held “[i]n short, there is neither a good reason nor a statutory basis to declare Claim 31 invalid, even though it previously depended on multiple dependent claims. The Court therefore rejects this argument.â€
Jesús Vázquez, Vice President and General Counsel of United Cannabis, commented: “We are pleased with the Court’s analysis of the case law and with its ruling. The ruling is a very favorable development for us in the pending litigation in that it fully disposes of one major challenge to the validity of the 911 Patent raised by Pure Hemp. The ruling is also important because it strengthens our company’s patent portfolio. We are mindful that the case continues, and we look forward to litigating the remaining challenges to the validity of the 911 Patent raised by Pure Hemp, as well as to proving Pure Hemp’s infringement.â€
Earnie Blackmon, Chief Executive Officer of United Cannabis, added: “Our company’s intellectual property is an important and valuable company asset. This ruling strengthens that asset. Pure Hemp hoped to derail the case with its early motion, and we’re very pleased that the Court denied the motion in its entirety. We look forward to continuing the litigation.â€
About United Cannabis Corporation
United Cannabis Corporation is a biotechnology company dedicated to the development of phyto-therapeutic based products supported by patented technologies for the pharmaceutical, medical, and industrial markets. The Company has long advocated the application of cannabinoids for medical applications and is building a platform for designing targeted therapies to increase the quality of life for patients around the world. Most of the Company’s products are patent protected first in class medicines with applications to a global market. United Cannabis trades on the OTCQB under the symbol CNAB.
For further information, please visit www.unitedcannabis.us.
Contact: [email protected]
Phone: 303-386-7321
Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933, are subject to Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbors created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and other results and further events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements.