Vasic v. Patenthealth, L.L.C.

171 F. Supp. 3d 1034, 2016 WL 1110300, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 37305
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. California
DecidedMarch 22, 2016
DocketCase No. 13-cv-849-BAS(MDD)
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 171 F. Supp. 3d 1034 (Vasic v. Patenthealth, L.L.C.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Vasic v. Patenthealth, L.L.C., 171 F. Supp. 3d 1034, 2016 WL 1110300, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 37305 (S.D. Cal. 2016).

Opinion

ORDER DENYING DEFENDANTS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

[ECF No. 70]

Hon. Cynthia Bashant, United States District Judge

On April 8, 2013, Plaintiff Dragan Vasic commenced this class action arising out of the advertising and sale of a glucosamine-based health supplement. On April 8, 2014, Plaintiff filed a Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”) against Patent Health, LLC and Arthur Middleton (collectively, “Defendants”). (ECF No. 40.) Defendants now move for summary judgment. Plaintiff opposes.

The Court finds this motion suitable for determination on the papers submitted and without oral argument. See Civ. L. R. 7.1 (d)(1). For the following reasons, the Court DENIES Defendants’ motion for summary judgment. (ECF No. 70.)

I. BACKGROUND1

Between February 2006 and October 18, 2013, Defendants marketed and distributed Trigosamine Maximum Strength (“Trigo MS”). (JSUF 1.) Trigo MS contains Hyaluronic Acid, Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, and Vitamin D. (JUSF 7.) Between December 2008 and October 18, 2013, Defendants marketed and distributed Trigosamine Fast Acting (“Trigo FA”). (JSUF 2.) Trigo FA contains Hyaluronic Acid, Glucosamine and a proprietary blend of ingredients called RapidFLEX, which includes Boswellia gum resin extract, Cur-cuma Longa extract, and a standardized extract of black pepper. (JSUF 5.) Plaintiff and Defendants disagree about which of the ingredients in Trigo MS and Trigo FA (collectively, the “-Products”) are active. (JSUF 4-7.) Defendants offered an unconditional 90-day money back guarantee that “any unused portion of the Products could be returned for a full refund of the product price if the purchaser was not satisfied with his or her results.” (JSUF 18.)

In connection with their Products, Defendants advertise that Glucosamin “helps build and maintain healthy, protective cartilage and joints and reduces joint discomfort,” and Chondoitrin Sulfate “promotes joint flexibility, lubrication, comfort, and range of motion.” (Wallace Deck Exs. A & B, ECF Mo. 70-3.) In or around November 2012, Plaintiff saw Defendants’ representations of the joint-related health benefits of Trigo MS when he read the product label in a Walgreen store near his home in San Diego, CA. (SAC ¶ 13.) Based on the claims of the product label, specifically that Trigo MS would “ ‘lubricate’ joints, ‘relieve’ pain, and ‘build’ cartilage,” Plaintiff purchased Trigo MS for approximately $25. (Id.) Plaintiff claims that Trigo MS did not provide him the benefits stated on the product label, and had he “known the truth about Defendants’ misrepresentations and omissions, he would not have purchased Trigo MS. (Id)

To support his claim that these statements are false and misleading, Plaintiff provides over twenty studies demonstrating that neither Glucosamine nor Chon-droitin Sulfate regenerate cartilage or provide joint comfort or relief from pain. (SAC ¶¶ 28-49.) These studies can be broken down into several categories: (1) studies regarding the effect of Glucosamine, alone, or in combination with Chondroitin Sulfate, in the treatment of osteoarthritis (id. ¶¶ 28, 30-38, 43, 45, 47); (2) studies [1038]*1038regarding the effect of Glucosamine, alone, or in combination with Chondroitin Sulfate, on the restoration or regeneration of cartilage or a reduced rate of cartilage degeneration (id. ¶¶ 29, 33, 39-41); (3) studies regarding the effect of Glucosamine, alone, or in combination with Chondroitin Sulfate, in the maintenance of joints (id. ¶¶ 42, 48); (4) studies regarding the effect of Glucosamine on chronic low back pain (id. ¶ 44); and (5) a study concluding that “regardless of the formulation used, no marginal beneficial effects were observed as a result of low Glucosamine bioavailability” (id. ¶ 46).

In his SAC, Plaintiff acknowledges there are two studies “purporting to claim that the ingestion of Glucosamine can affect the growth or deterioration of cartilage,” but attempts to discredit them on the basis that they were both sponsored by a Gluco-samine supplement manufacturer and the methodologies used had “inherently poor reproducibility.” (SAC ¶ 49.) Plaintiff, therefore, contends that these two studies are unreliable. (Id.)

Plaintiff also provides an expert report by Dr. Silbert (“Silbert Report”) to support his claims. (ECF No. 75-1.) Dr. Sil-bert found it impossible for the “ingestion of either” Glucosamine or Chondroitin Sulfate in isolation, together, or with the ingredients found in the Products to have “any effect on cartilage or to contribute in any way to control [.] osteoarthritis or its symptoms.” (Silbert Report ¶ 9.) Dr. Sil-bert found that Glucosamine and Chon-droitin Sulfate reach the joints in “only minuscule amounts” and have “no positive building effects.” (Id. ¶ 38.) He also found that the “small amounts” of hyaluronate that “might get” to the joints and cartilage “preclude any possibility of building cartilage.” (Id.) Although Dr. Silbert noted the vitamin D is a “necessary component of bone and other tissues and could be of value if there were a deficiency,” he also reported that vitamin D has “no effect on cartilage.” (Id.)

On April 8, 2013, Plaintiff commenced this class action seeking an injunction, restitution and disgorgement under the CLRA. (Compl. ¶ 66.) In the Complaint, Plaintiff added that if Defendants “fail[ed] to rectify or agree to rectify the problems associated with the actions detailed above.. .within 30 days of the date of written notice pursuant to § 1782 of the Act, Plaintiff will amend the Complaint to add claims for actual, punitive and statutory damages as appropriate.” (Id. ¶ 68.) Simultaneously with the Complaint, Plaintiff provided written notice, via certified mail, to Defendants pursuant to California Civil Code section 1782. (JSUF 31.)

Thereafter, Plaintiff amended the Complaint, adding allegations that it had notified Defendants pursuant to § 1782, by certified mail, and that Defendants had failed to agree to rectify the problems. Plaintiff added claims for actual, punitive and statutory damages. (First Amended Complaint (“FAC”) ¶73, ECF No. 4.) Plaintiff has since amended the Complaint again. The SAC asserts claims for a violation of the CLRA, California Civil Code §§ 1750, et seq., and a violation of the California Business and Professions Code §§ 1720, et seq.

II. LEGAL STANDARD

Summary judgment is appropriate under Rule 56(c) where the moving party demonstrates the absence of a genuine issue of material fact and entitlement to judgment as a matter of law. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). A fact is material when, under the governing substantive law, it could affect the outcome of the case. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). A dis[1039]*1039pute about a material fact is genuine if “the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmov-ing party.” Id. at 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505.

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Bluebook (online)
171 F. Supp. 3d 1034, 2016 WL 1110300, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 37305, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/vasic-v-patenthealth-llc-casd-2016.