Green seaweed contains immunomodulatory agents; validated patent for Olmix Group

Filed in 2013, the patent application covering a seaweed extract for its use as an immunomodulatory agent has just received official validation from INPI, the French national institute of industrial property rights. This invention involves a seaweed extract from the Ulvales order, and particularly the Ulva green seaweed extract (comprising sulphated and non-sulphated polysaccharides).

The patent issued to Olmix Group thus confirms that green seaweed can help strengthen the immune defences of animals and human beings and are a focus of development to prevent many diseases.

Thanks to the issue of this new patent, Olmix Group is positioned as the major, key historic player in seaweed research. "Psychologically, this is an important step for our research team, our customers and our investors, explains Hervé Balusson, Olmix Group chairman. It validates our work and enhances the trust of all those who work alongside us. For several years, we have been marketing products based on seaweed extracts to combat external attacks such as bacterial and viruses. This patent confirms the scientific validation of their effectiveness on the immune system. We are now continuing our research on the potential of the seaweeds in different health-related areas of application with several scientific bodies, including the INRA, CNRS and INSERM."

The patent application was filed at the INPI on November 2013. INPI officially issued the patent on 30 September 2016. In its response covering this invention patent, the INPI specifies that "the inventors have provided surprising evidence that a seaweed extract from the Ulvales order, in particular an Ulva green seaweed extract, had immunomodulatory properties.