Etigra Files for Imidacloprid Fertlizer Patents

Feb. 19, 2007

CARY, NC

This year promises to be an important one in the post-patent industry with the first full year that generic imidacloprid products are available. Etigra is starting the year with the most complete imidacloprid portfolio across all markets of any company. A key component of the company’s imidacloprid portfolio are Imida E-Pro fertilizer options for the turf markets.

Bayer has widely communicated that they have a patent for imidacloprid and fertilizer. Bayer’s patent covers an insecticidal fertilizer mixture made up of imidacloprid, a fertilizer and an adhesive, with the mixture in the form of a stick, plate, tablet or granule. Bayer’s manufacturing claims are for a process for the preparation of an insecticidal fertilizer mixture comprising mixing imidacloprid with a fertilizer and an adhesive and compressing or extruding this mixture into a desired form.

“As we developed our imidacloprid fertilizer formulation, we found a method that not only circumvented Bayer’s patent, but also improved on it,” said Randy Canady, Etigra Chief Operating Officer. “We offer a formulator-friendly formulation that is cleaner and more efficient.”

“Etigra’s own formulation chemist, who has been granted 10 patents during his 25 years in the industry, is an expert in SCU adhesion,” Canady observed. “He originally patented the process for sticking phosphorus and potassium on the outside of the SCU using the sealant for the SCU. He developed Etigra’s adhesive-free process for use on both Sulfur Coated Ureas and Methylene Ureas and has filed three patent applications on the technology.”

Etigra’s Imida E-Pro Fertilizer products use a nonvolatile solvent to dissolve the active ingredient and coat the fertilizer. Industry and technical experts have confirmed that coatings of dissolved active do not use an “adhesive” or represent a known equivalent for an adhesive as defined in the Bayer patent. Because the Bayer patent distinguishes “mixtures” from “coatings”, the Etigra coating technology is outside the Bayer patent for a second reason.

Etigra is a privately held company offering post-patent pesticide solutions. The company offers multiple products for turf and ornamental, pest control, vegetation management and forestry, and crop.