Flagship Pioneering. has been granted a patent for methods and compositions that alter the microbiota of insects, specifically targeting pathogen vectors. The invention utilizes agents like phages to reduce microbial activity, thereby decreasing the fitness of these insects and potentially mitigating the spread of vector-borne diseases. GlobalData’s report on Flagship Pioneering gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Flagship Pioneering, Cancer treatment biomarkers was a key innovation area identified from patents. Flagship Pioneering's grant share as of July 2024 was 12%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Insect fitness modulation using microbial-altering agents
The granted patent US12018049B2 outlines a method for modulating the fitness of insects through the application of a composition that includes at least one phage. This method involves contacting the insect with an effective amount of the composition, which aims to reduce the level, activity, or metabolism of specific bacteria present in or on the insect. The modulation of the insect's fitness can result in either an increase or decrease in its overall fitness compared to an untreated insect. The patent specifies that the targeted bacteria can be pathogenic, commensal, or symbiotic, and lists a variety of bacterial species, including Staphylococcus, Escherichia, and Pseudomonas, among others.
Additionally, the patent details that the method can lead to changes in the insect's survival rate, either enhancing or diminishing it. The phages used in the composition may be naturally occurring, engineered, or a combination of both, and can be lytic or non-lytic. Furthermore, the patent allows for the selection of phages from a heterogeneous library that targets specific bacteria. The method is applicable to insects from various orders, including Diptera, Hemiptera, and Hymenoptera, and encompasses a wide range of phage families and orders, indicating a broad potential for application in insect fitness modulation through bacteriophage therapy.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
