In a landmark biotechnology ruling, the Supreme People’s Court of China has ruled in favor of Novozymes, upholding the company’s patent on enzymes for production of fuel ethanol and beverage alcohol.

The patent dispute began in 2011, when Novozymes found evidence that Shandong Longda Bio-Products Co., Ltd. and Jiangsu Boli Bioproducts Co., Ltd. were producing and selling a proprietary Novozymes glucoamylase enzyme for use in the bioenergy and beverage industries violating one of Novozymes’ Chinese patents. The Supreme People’s Court’s verdict is final and cannot be appealed.

Novozymes’ General Counsel Mikkel Viltoft says they are pleased with the Court’s decision and commend the Chinese patent and court system for protecting biotech innovations. }This landmark verdict will spur growth and investments in China and encourage local inventions, and it shows that China is serious in its efforts to protect intellectual property rights,” said Viltoft. “Novozymes has been in China for more than 20 years, working closely with local companies and universities to develop technologies that reduce CO2 emissions and the use of harsh chemicals.

Novozymes has been operating in China since 1995 and now has more than 1,000 employees across six sites. The company’s main businesses in China are in household care, textile, waste water treatment, food and beverage, agriculture and bioenergy.