Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Files Patent Infringement Suits in the United States and Europe Regarding Tryptophan

TOKYO, May 11, 2016 – Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (“Ajinomoto Co.”), together with its consolidated subsidiaries Ajinomoto Heartland, Inc. and AJINOMOTO EUROLYSINE S.A.S., filed patent infringement suits against CJ CheilJedang Corp. of South Korea and three of its subsidiaries regarding its manufacturing process for Tryptophan with the United States International Trade Commission, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and the District Court of Dusseldorf in Germany on May 10, 2016 (local time).

CJ CheilJedang Corp. manufactures Tryptophan at its subsidiary in Indonesia and sells it in various countries. Upon reaching the opinion that the manufacturing process it uses infringes the patent rights of Ajinomoto Co., the three Ajinomoto Group companies decided to request an injunction against the sale of the infringing product and a judgment for compensation for damages related to the infringing product already sold.

The Ajinomoto Group has been making intensive investments in R&D to develop more advanced production technologies for amino acids and to contribute to the feed and animal nutrition industry as a leading global company in amino acids. The Ajinomoto Group believes that infringement of its intellectual property obstructs its R&D efforts and will therefore continue to pursue necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights.

Ajinomoto Co. is a global manufacturer of high-quality seasonings, processed foods, beverages, amino acids, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. For many decades Ajinomoto Co. has contributed to food culture and human health through wide-ranging application of amino acid technologies. Today, the company is becoming increasingly involved with solutions for improved food resources, human health and global sustainability. Founded in 1909 and now operating in 27 countries and regions, Ajinomoto Co. had net sales of JPY 1,185.9 billion (USD 9.87 billion) in fiscal 2015. For more about Ajinomoto Co. (TYO: 2802), visit www.ajinomoto.com.

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