A defensible position
A partner investing in development does so with the right to exclude others from practising the protected method in the territories covered.
Home / Intellectual Property
Intellectual property
IMBT owns protected technology, and shares the detail with serious partners.
The method behind IMBT's research is protected by granted patent rights. This page explains in general terms what that covers and why it matters, and how a prospective partner can see more.
In general terms
What the protection is about.
IMBT's intellectual property covers two linked inventions. The first is a method of making antimicrobial peptide-rich material from insect larvae by exposing them to bacteria, with the dose used to influence which peptides are made, and the use of that material in feeding to a recipient animal.
The second concerns immune regulation: a method of controlling a pathogen's resistance to an animal's immune system by feeding it larvae stimulated with a micro-organism, and measuring its levels of the signalling molecule IL-10.
Patented IMBT reports patents granted in the USA, Vietnam, Australia and China, with an application pending in Canada and further applications filed.
- Invention 1peptide production from stimulated larvae, and its use in feeding
- Invention 2controlling a pathogen's resistance to immune surveillance (IL-10)
- GrantedUSA, Vietnam, Australia, China
- PendingCanada, plus further applications
The US portfolio
Three granted US patents, in plain English.
Patent
What it covers
Granted
Patented
US 10,383,899 B2
Immunity generation
The original US grant on the method of making a medicament from larvae fed on pathogen-containing food.
2019 · view patent
Patented
US 11,779,611 B2
Immunity generation
Controlling which antimicrobial peptides larvae make by selecting the dose of bacteria, and feeding the result to a recipient animal.
10 Oct 2023 · view patent
Patented
US 12,458,670 B2
Controlling a pathogen's resistance to immune surveillance
Controlling IL-10 in an animal by feeding it larvae stimulated with a micro-organism, and measuring the IL-10.
4 Nov 2025 · view patent
Patent summaries are simplified and are not legal descriptions of the claims. Grants in Vietnam, Australia and China, and the pending Canadian application, are as reported by IMBT; details are shared with serious enquirers.
Why it matters to a partner
What protected IP makes possible.
A licensable asset
The method can be licensed, in whole or by field, territory or species, subject to what is agreed.
A platform to build on
Because the method is controllable, partners can explore different bacteria, doses and applications and discuss how new findings are handled.
Patent protection is a legal right to exclude others. It is not evidence that a technology works. Evidence is set out on the Science & Evidence page.
How we share more
From first conversation to detail.
- Step 1
Enquiry
Tell us who you are and what you are looking for.
- Step 2
Introductory call
A conversation with Chris Leonard about fit and interest.
- Step 3
Confidentiality
A non-disclosure agreement is put in place.
- Step 4
Documentation
Patent detail, study data and technical notes are shared.
Common questions
IP FAQ.
Is the technology patented?
Yes. IMBT holds three granted US patents and reports patents granted in Vietnam, Australia and China, with an application pending in Canada. Further detail is shared with serious enquirers under confidentiality.
Is IMBT willing to license?
Yes. IMBT is open to licensing, co-development and research arrangements. Terms depend on the partner, field and territory.
Does a patent prove the technology works?
No. A patent protects a method. Evidence that the method has an effect comes from experiments, which are described on the Science & Evidence page.
Licensing
Interested in licensing or developing the technology? Start with a conversation.