Niutang Chemical Responds to Tate and Lyle's Sucralose Patent Infringement Claim.

CHANGZHOU CITY, Jiangsu, China -- In response to Tate & Lyle's patent infringement claim filed at the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) and in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois against Changzhou Niutang Chemical Plant Co., Ltd. and U.S. Niutang Chemical, Inc. and several other manufacturers and importers of the sweetener sucralose, Changzhou Niutang Chemical Plant Co., Ltd. and U.S. Niutang Chemical, Inc. issued the following statement:

"Both Changzhou Niutang and U.S. Niutang take these allegations very seriously, but we do not infringe on any of the patents asserted against us," said Mr. Licheng Wang, Jr., General Manager, Changzhou Niutang Chemical Plant, Ltd.

"We have always respected the intellectual property rights of others and will continue to do so. Tate & Lyle's claims against Changzhou Niutang and U.S. Niutang are without merit. We intend to vigorously defend against these allegations and are confident that we will be fully vindicated."