Leader in Glyconutritionals Launches Business in South Africa

Mannatech, Incorported announced today (April 22) the launch of operations in South Africa. A continuation of Mannatech's success in international expansion, the South Africa opening marks the 11th country where the company does business.

"We're anxiously looking forward to introducing our proprietary and patented products in South Africa," said Mannatech's President and CEO Terry Persinger. "Years ago, South Africa was the first country to grant a patent for the technology related to the formulation of Mannatech's flagship product, Ambrotose complex."

South Africa's rich legacy of using nature's biodiversity to address wellness aligns well with Mannatech's emphasis on natural ingredients.

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Mannatech Goes 'GREEN'

COPPELL, Texas, April 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eleven hours a day, six days a week, Mannatech, Incorporated, locally packs and ships its nutritional supplements and skin care products to consumers throughout the United States and Canada. Mannatech uses more than 20 tons of packaging monthly sending products throughout North America, where a majority of the company's 575,000 independent Associates and Members live.

Mannatech began using recycled corrugated boxes in November 2007. Annually, this move will save an estimated 4,000 trees, 980,000 gallons of fresh water, 735,000 kilowatt hours of energy and 610 cubic yards of landfill space -- resources that would have been used to make non-recycled boxing.

"As a company that values Earth's natural resources, Mannatech is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 'going green.' More importantly, our employees are delighted to do what they can to help conserve resources," said company Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Terry O'Day. "We are continually looking for ways to conserve energy and reduce waste, and we appreciate the opportunity to partner with our local community to keep our environment beautiful."

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NIH Report: STUDY OF SUGARS ON CELL SURFACE IDENTIFIES KEY FACTOR IN FLU INFECTION

Scientists have identified a key factor that determines the ability of influenza viruses to infect cells of the human upper respiratory tract — a necessary step for sustaining spread between people. The research, described in the 6 January online edition of Nature Biotechnology and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), offers new insights into how the H5N1 avian flu virus currently circulating in birds would have to change in order to gain a foothold in human populations.

The study of glycomics is a new frontier and we'll see a lot more about it in the years to come. This press release from the NIH shows that initial findings of specific sugars play a role (good or bad) in how a flu virus gains access to the immune system or is repelled. Understanding how these sugars interact will lead to the development of new medical technology as well as understanding physiological processes that occur at the cellular level.

Harpers Biochemistry identifies eight monosaccharide sugars that must be present for normal cell function in all living things. Every human cell uses these sugars to build 'messenger molecules' and the virus also uses these sugars as part of its own molecular structure. Some believe that has been a controversial subject but the fact the NIH is funding studies like this one show the importance sugars play in the future of world health. This study from the NIH is a study of how these sugars have been impacting immunological communications since the beginning of life.

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Mannatech Adds Distinguished Kellogg Professor Robert Blattberg to Board

Here's something for the Mannatech skeptics. Why would such a famous man agree to join the board if it were not a great company, with great products and a great future? Maybe he knows something you don't? You think?

Mannatech announced the addition of Professor Robert Blattberg from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management to the company's Board of Directors. Blattberg replaces outgoing Board member Professor John Axford who is leaving the Board to focus his efforts on new research initiatives with Mannatech, as well as complete the glyconutritional research under a three-year agreement between St. George's University of London and Mannatech.

Since 1991, Professor Blattberg has served as the Polk Brothers Distinguished Professor of Retailing and Director for the Center for Retail Management within Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. He is currently on a one-year leave of absence and is a visiting professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Previously, he held the title of the Charles H. Kellstadt Professor of Marketing and served as Director of the Center of Marketing Information Technology for University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business.

"We are quite pleased to have someone with Professor Blattberg's knowledge and expertise in global retail marketing join our Board," said J. Stanley Fredrick, lead director on Mannatech's Board. "His vast experience and published accomplishments speak volumes about his ability to assist organizations in achieving success through solid marketing strategies and principles."

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Federal Court Issues Markman Ruling in Favor of Mannatech's Ambrotose® Patents

(Business Wire) Mannatech, Incorporated announced today that the federal court in the Northern District of Texas issued a Markman ruling in the company’s favor against Glycobiotics International Inc., in a patent infringement lawsuit based on Mannatech’s Ambrotose® and Advanced Ambrotose® products

After considering the plain language of the patents, patent prosecution history and briefing and evidence presented by the parties, the Court issued a Markman ruling effectively shutting down Glycobiotics’ interpretation. The Court’s ruling allows Mannatech to continue to pursue its patent infringement claims against Glycobiotics International Inc., with a trial setting expected for late fall.

Mannatech is currently pursuing two patent infringement lawsuits against Glycobiotics International Inc., and K.Y.C. Inc., d/b/a Techmedica Health Inc. The lawsuits, which are still pending, are in response to several competitors using Mannatech’s technology to create and offer copycat products.

“We are encouraged by this ruling that validates our cutting-edge research and development in the ground-breaking field of glyconutrients,” said Terry Persinger, president and CEO of Mannatech. “Our domestic and international patents on our formulations for glyconutritional dietary supplements, Ambrotose® and Advanced Ambrotose®, are a result of years of research and development and we plan to continue protecting these patents against infringement. We believe this favorable ruling should govern future disputes concerning the scope and meaning of these specific patents.”

Glycobiotics challenged Mannatech’s patents by attempting to convince the Court that Mannatech’s patents only cover compositions of highly-purified, pharmaceutical-grade individual saccharides. Mannatech vigorously opposed this narrow construction, asserting that the patents’ language and history make it clear that the patented compositions cover all-natural dietary supplements and are not limited to formulas of individual, pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.