Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. and Acasti Pharma Inc. announced that the U.S. International Trade Commission has voted to institute an investigation of alleged patent infringements by Aker BioMarine ASA; Aker BioMarine Antarctic USA, Inc.; Aker Biomarine Antarctic AS; Enzymotec, Ltd.; Enzymotec USA, Inc; Olympic Seafood As; Olympic Biotec Ltd.; Avoca Inc.; Rimfrost USA, LLC and Bioriginal Food & Science Corp. (collectively the "respondents"). The investigation was instituted on the basis of a complaint filed with the ITC by Neptune and Acasti earlier this year.

The complaint alleges violations by the respondents regarding the importation into the United States and sale of certain omega-3 extracts and products from marine or aquatic biomass that infringe certain Neptune and Acasti patents. Neptune and Acasti requested that the ITC issue an exclusion order and cease and desist order to ban the importation and sale of infringing extracts and products.