India foils Colgate-Palmolive's bid to patent traditional mouthwash formula

NEW DELHI: India has foiled consumer goods giant Colgate-Palmolive's attempt to patent a mouthwash formula containing herb extracts, used in traditional medicines to cure oral diseases.

The claim was contested by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research's Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (CSIR-TKDL) before the European Union Patent office. It submitted proof that Myristica Fragrans herb were used for oral diseases in Indian systems of medicine.

"India had foiled an attempt by consumer goods giant Colgate-Palmolive to patent a mouthwash formula containing herb extract by citing ancient texts that show it was traditionally used in ancient medicinal practices.

"Traditional Knowledge Digital Library of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR-TKDL) had submitted proof in the form of references from ancient books, which said the herb and its extracts of Myristica Fragrans were used for oral diseases in Indian systems of medicine," said a government statement.

Meanwhile, various institutions of CSIR filed applications for 14 patents in India and for 22 abroad in April this year. Out of these, one patent were granted in India and 14 abroad.