Press Releases

Juvenon, Inc. Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Vitacost.com, Inc.

Company Promises to Vigorously Enforce Patent Rights
for Its Proprietary Cellular Health Supplement

Orinda, Calif, November 17, 2004 -- Juvenon, Inc., a privately-held, science-based cellular health supplement company based in the San Francisco area, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Vitacost.com, Inc. (Vitacost), claiming infringement of Juvenon’s patent covering a combination of micronutrient supplements marketed to sustain energy and support healthy cells. Vitacost is a Florida-based vitamin and supplement company.

"Juvenon intends to vigorously enforce its patent rights in order to maintain its proprietary position in the growing field of cellular health," said Juvenon President and CEO, Allan J. Prager. The complaint, filed in San Francisco Federal District Court, charges that Vitacost is infringing on the company’s patent by selling over the Internet its proprietary technology, which Juvenon has exclusively licensed from the University of California and is protected by United States and international patents.

"Vitacost advertises and sells its infringing products on the Internet by touting the work of Dr. Bruce Ames, the primary inventor on Juvenon’s patent. This clearly involves leveraging the intellectual heritage of Juvenon’s proprietary technology for the purposes of improper and misleading advertising," Prager said. Juvenon also charges that Vitacost is aiding and abetting and contributing to others infringing its patent by its sale of these patented supplements over the Internet. Juvenon has alleged that Vitacost’s infringement is willful and it is seeking an injunction against further sale of infringing products and treble damages for its lost profits from all of Vitacost’s infringing sales.

Juvenon’s proprietary technology was developed by a team of world-class scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, led by Bruce Ames, Ph.D., winner of the U.S. National Science Prize and other international honors.

Juvenon™ Cellular Health Supplement is a patented combination of natural micronutrients designed to promote a healthier, more energetic body and brain. Preclinical studies have suggested that the supplement is particularly effective in protecting tissue from toxic oxidants, which increase with normal daily stress-producing activities and exercise, as well as with the natural aging process.

Juvenon is being represented by Gerald P. Dodson of the law firm of Morrison & Foerster LLP, 755 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1018.

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About Juvenon, Inc.
Juvenon, Inc. is a science-based cellular health supplement company committed to the development of products that slow the progressive deterioration associated with cellular aging. Juvenon’s proprietary technology was developed at the University of California, Berkeley by renowned scientist Bruce Ames, Ph.D., a winner of the National Medal of Science and other international honors, and Tory Hagen, Ph.D., an investigator at the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. Juvenon is currently the only cellular health supplement company that focuses on the role of the mitochondria and the mechanics of cellular health. The company’s first product, Juvenon™ Cellular Health Supplement, consists of two mitochondrial-activating components that restore energy levels, enhance brain cell function, and improve metabolic efficiency. For more information about Juvenon, visit juvenon.com.