IP Library Granted Patent US 12,359,162
Granted Patent B2
US 12,359,162 · App. 18/352,788 · Granted Jul 15, 2025

Microbial cells, methods of producing the same, and uses thereof

Inventors: James Scott Drouillard (Manhattan, KS); Celine Caroline Aperce (Wamego, KS); Gina Rae Herren (Wamego, KS); Tara Jo Ellerman (Manhattan, KS); Ciana Marie Scaletti (Manhattan, KS); Katherine Van Jordan (Manhattan, KS); James Morris Lattimer (Manhattan, KS); Scott Beyer (Manhattan, KS); Solange Uwituze (Kampala, UG); Teresa Lea Douthit (Manhattan, KS); Christina Denise Gunkel (Broken Bow, NE)
Assignees: Kansas State University Research Foundation; Axiota U.S., Inc.
C12N1/20A23K10/18A23K50/10A23K50/20A23K50/75A61K35/744A61P31/04C12N1/04
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,359,162
App. No.
18/352,788
Granted
Jul 15, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention relates to microbial cells, including but not limited to aerobic bacteria cells and anaerobic bacteria cells, as well as yeast cells, and methods for producing the cells, feed additives and compositions comprising the cells, and uses involving administration of the cells to animals.

Claims (8)

1. A method for treating or preventing a condition or disorder associated with lactic acid production in the gastrointestinal tract of a non-ruminant animal, comprising administering to the non-ruminant animal about 0.4 g of freeze-dried Megasphaera elsdenii ( M. elsdenii ) NCIMB 41125 cells, wherein the 0.4 g of freeze-dried M. elsdenii NCIMB 41125 cells contain about 7.02×10 8 CFU/mL of M. elsdenii NCIMB 41125 cells.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the condition or disorder is acidosis.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-ruminant animal is selected from the group consisting of: swine, chicken, goose, duck, quail, turkey, pigeon, horse, pony, donkey, and mule.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the M. elsdenii NCIMB 41125 cells are administered in a feed mixture or a liquid.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the M. elsdenii NCIMB 41125 cells are administered prior to, concomitantly with, or after feeding the non-ruminant animal with a food.

6. The method of claim 1 , comprising a single administration of the M. elsdenii NCIMB 41125 cells, a daily administration of the M. elsdenii NCIMB 41125 cells or more than one administration of the M. elsdenii NCIMB 41125 cells on a single day.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the freeze dried M. elsdenii NCIMB 41125 cells are administered via a treat.

8. The method of claim 4 , wherein the liquid is administered by oral gavage or by spraying the non-ruminant animal with the liquid.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2026
From: AXIOTA U.S., INC. (F/K/A MS BIOTECH, INC.)
To: ALTER DOMUS (US), LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 073782/0124 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 11, 2025
From: HERREN, GINA RAE
To: MS BIOTECH, INC.
Reel/Frame 071383/0727 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 11, 2025
From: DROUILLARD, JAMES SCOTT; APERCE, CELINE CAROLINE; ELLERMAN, TARA JO; SCALETTI, CIANA MARIE; VAN JORDAN, KATHERINE; LATTIMER, JAMES MORRIS; BEYER, SCOTT; UWITUZE, SOLANGE; DOUTHIT, TERESA LEA; GUNKEL, CHRISTINA DENISE
To: KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 071541/0698 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 11, 2025
From: MS BIOTECH, INC.
To: AXIOTA U.S., INC.
Reel/Frame 071541/0813 →
Continuity (6)
Division 18045280 · Oct 10, 2022
Continuation 16481962
Provisional Application 62510723 · May 24, 2017
Provisional Application 62452804 · Jan 31, 2017
Provisional Application 62452816 · Jan 31, 2017
Related Publication 20230357706A1 · Nov 9, 2023
References Cited (175)
US 3713836A · Carlsson · 1973 [cited by applicant]
US 3956482A · Hahn et al. · 1976 [cited by applicant]
US 4138498A · Das · 1979 [cited by applicant]
US 4689226A · Nurmi et al. · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 5308615A · Deloach et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5380525A · Leedle et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5529793A · Garner et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5534271A · Ware et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5939303A · Cheng et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5985605A · Cheng et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6960341B2 · Viscomi et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 7485290B2 · Ushida et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7550139B2 · Horn et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 8114396B2 · Horn et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8834853B2 · Mazeaud et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 9179693B2 · Romero et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9351516B2 · Nissen et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9476084B2 · Brudnak et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9493737B2 · Georgieva et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9546352B2 · Mazeaud et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9554583B2 · Hollard et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9554590B2 · Quintens et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 10093894B2 · Yde et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10329526B2 · Salmons et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10370636B2 · Van Hee · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10576113B2 · Madhavamenon et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10834942B2 · Davis et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10856560B2 · Simpson et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10864457B2 · Madsen et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10954486B2 · Georgieva et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11492587B2 · Drouillard et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20040120963A1 · Ushida et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20060067923A1 · Ushida et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060188550A1 · Winn · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20060257372A1 · Horn et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20080138462A1 · Chan et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090028992A1 · Chan et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090246177A1 · Horn et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20100136637A1 · Park et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20130022575A1 · Cassity · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130330307A1 · Millan · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130330308A1 · Millan et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130330439A1 · Owens et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140037582A1 · Romero et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140065617A1 · Getman · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140112897A1 · Pyne et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140234279A1 · Millan · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140370572A1 · Van Lengerich et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20150140171A1 · Nissen et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150218507A1 · Georgieva et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150291994A1 · Brudnak et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20160029666A1 · Carpenter et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160213755A1 · Romero et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20170020935A1 · Garner et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170202242A1 · Blom et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170224745A1 · Dart · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180228181A1 · Villamizar et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190358272A1 · Laldas et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190376023A1 · Hollard et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20200123588A1 · Mizrahi · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200155470A1 · Rieu et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200281225A1 · Kiarie et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200352860A1 · Natu et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20230128983A1 · Drouillard et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230357706A1 · Drouillard et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20240018465A1 · Drouillard et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
AU 2165688A · 1989 [cited by applicant]
AU 2018344097B1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
CN 1480528A · 2004 [cited by applicant]
CN 1681522A · 2005 [cited by applicant]
CN 103533843A · 2014 [cited by applicant]
CN 103958664A · 2014 [cited by applicant]
CO 20190005965A1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
DE 4024937C1 · 1992 [cited by applicant]
EP 0071858A1 · 1983 [cited by applicant]
EP 2675285B1 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
EP 2744888B1 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
EP 3287518A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
EP 3016511B1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
EP 3702441A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
EP 2885395B1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
EP 3007566B1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
IN 235743 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
JP H08502019 · 1996 [cited by applicant]
JP 2013146273A · 2013 [cited by applicant]
KR 20130021764 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
MX 9708793A · 1998 [cited by applicant]
RU 2119288C1 · 1998 [cited by applicant]
RU 02365621C2 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
RU 2650870C1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
WO WO1991013146A1 · 1991 [cited by applicant]
WO WO1993013666A1 · 1993 [cited by applicant]
WO WO1997048812A2 · 1997 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2002080947A1 · 2002 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2004009104A1 · 2004 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2009024930A2 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2010047815A2 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2011018509A1 · 2011 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2012098239A1 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2012110778A2 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2013024178A1 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2013083762A1 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2013186348A1 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2014020138A2 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2014029758A1 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2014029783A1 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2016011511A1 · 2016 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2016019017A1 · 2016 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2017015022A1 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2017025772A1 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2018144653A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2018154593A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2018179001A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2019079629A1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2019079764A1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2019118984A2 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2019215345A1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2020176624A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2020176834A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2020212961A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2020243676A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2021055352A1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2021151161A1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
Jacques S. Horsepower: Veter inary medicine student advances to global scholarship competition for her work on laminitis in horses. https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/apr12/alltechaward42412.html. 2012;1. [cited by examiner]
Dove et al. Foregut survivability of Megasphaera elsdenii in equine. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2015;35:400-417. [cited by examiner]
Haffner et al. Encapsulation of probiotics: insights into academic and industrial approaches. AIMS Materials Science. 2016;3(1):114-136. [cited by examiner]
O'Brien A. Administering equine medication. https://www.horseillustrated.com/horse-health-administering-equine-medication. 2016; 1-6. [cited by examiner]
Beard, W.L., et al., “Technical Note: A 2-Stage Cecal Cannulation Technique in Standing Horses,” Journal of Animal Science, 89(8):2425-2429, American Society of Animal Science, United States (2011). [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2018/016321, Commissioner of Patents, Alexandria, Virginia, mailed on Jun. 6, 2018, 17 pages. [cited by applicant]
Teather, R.M., “Maintenance of Laboratory Strains of Obligately Anaerobic Rumen Bacteria,” Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 44(2): 499-501, American Society for Microbiology, United States (1982). [cited by applicant]
Yanke, L.J., et al., “Phytase Activity of Anaerobic Ruminal Bacteria,” Microbiology, 144 (Pt 6): 1565-1573, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada (1998). [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2018/056777, Commissioner of Patents, Alexandria, Virginia, mailed on Dec. 13, 2018, 14 pages. [cited by applicant]
Shrestha, U.T., My scientific Blog-Research and Articles, accessed at https://upendrafts.blogspot.com, 9 pages (2010). [cited by applicant]
Kailasapathy, K., et al., “Microencapsulation of Probiotic bacteria: Technology and Potential Applications,” Curr. Issues Intest. Microbiol. 3:39-48, Horizon Scientific Press, United States (2002). [cited by applicant]
Leslie, S.B., et al., “Trehalose and Sucrose Protect Both Membranes and Proteins in Intact Bacteria during Drying,” Applied Environmental Microbiology 61(10): 3592-3597, American Society for Microbiology, United States … [cited by applicant]
Mitropoulou, G., et al., “Immobilization Technologies in Probiotic Food Production,” Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism 716861:16 pages, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, India (2013). [cited by applicant]
Miyamoto-Shinohara, et al., “Survival of freeze-dried bacteria,” J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol 54:9-24, J-SAGE, Japan (2008). [cited by applicant]
Jorquera, M., et al., “Current and future biotechnological applications of bacterial phytases and phytase-producing bacteria,” [cited by applicant]
Weimer, P.J., et al., “Fermentation of alfalfa wet-fractionation liquids to volatile fatty acids by [cited by applicant]
Khan, T., et al., “Antioxidants Keep the Potentially Probiotic but Highly Oxygen-Sensitive Human Gut Bacterium [cited by applicant]
United States Department of Agriculture, “SBIR Phase II: Innovations in Manufacturing Technology for a Probiotic Containing Megasphaera Elsdenii NCIMB 41125,” retrieved from <https://reeis.usda.gov/web/crisprojectpages/… [cited by applicant]
Hagg, F., et al., “The effect of a Direct Fed Microbial ( [cited by applicant]
Leeuw, K-J., et al., “Effect of [cited by applicant]
Meissner, H.H., et al., “Ruminal acidosis: A review with detailed reference to the controlling agent [cited by applicant]
Rossi, F., et al., “Effect of a [cited by applicant]
Third Party Observations mailed Nov. 26, 2021, against EP3577213, in the name of Kansas State University Research Foundation and MS Biotech, Inc., European Patent Office, Germany, 25 pages. [cited by applicant]
Adams, G., et al., “Cryopreservation and freeze-drying protocols: the principles of freeze-drying,” Extract from Methods in Molecular Biology 368:16, 1 page, Humana Press, Inc., United States (2007). [cited by applicant]
ATCC Product Sheet, “ [cited by applicant]
Bergey, D., et al., “Extract from Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology vol. 3: The Firmicutes,” Genus XIII. [cited by applicant]
Chaucheyras, F., et al., “Effects of a strain of [cited by applicant]
Elsden, S.R., et al., “The Production of Fatty Acids By a Gram-negative Coccus,” Biochem J. 55(1): 183-189, Portland Press, United States (1953). [cited by applicant]
Elsden, S.R., et al., “Properties of a Fatty Acid Forming Organism Isolated From The Rumen of Sheep,” J. Bacteriol. 72(5): 681-689, American Society for Microbiology, United States (1956). [cited by applicant]
Gutierrez, J., et al., “Bacterial Changes in the Rumen During the Onset of Feed-lot Bloat of Cattle and Characteristics of [cited by applicant]
Langa, R.L.S., “Optimisation of cell growth and shelf life stability of [cited by applicant]
Marounek, M., et al., “Metabolism and Some Characteristics of Ruminal Strains of [cited by applicant]
Material Safety Data Sheet, “Dehydrated Culture Media: reinforced Clostridial Medium (RCM),” Thermofisher Scientific, 2 pages, United States (2001). [cited by applicant]
National Collection of Industrial Food and Marine Bacteria, “NCIMB 702261,” retrieved from <https://store.ncimb.com/page/strains%20record%20name%20display/23138>, retrieved on Oct. 13, 2020, 1 page. [cited by applicant]
National Collection of Industrial Food and Marine Bacteria, “NCIMB 702262,” retrieved from <https://store.ncimb.com/page/strains%20record%20name%20display/23139>, retrieved on Oct. 13, 2020, 1 page. [cited by applicant]
National Collection of Industrial Food and Marine Bacteria, “NCIMB 702410,” retrieved from <https://store.ncimb.com/page/strains%20record%20name%20display/23143>, retrieved on Oct. 13, 2020, 1 page. [cited by applicant]
Rossi, F., et al., “Effects of peptidic fractions from [cited by applicant]
Soto-Cruz, O., et al., “Stimulation of the [cited by applicant]
Suihiko, M.-L., et al., “Maintenance of the anaerobic beer spoilage bacteria [cited by applicant]
Wikipedia, “Freeze-drying,” retrieved from <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=freeze-drying&oldid=1057299009″>, retrieved on Nov. 26, 2021, 13 pages (2021). [cited by applicant]
Newbold, C.J., et al., “Different strains of [cited by applicant]
Office Action mailed Mar. 21, 2022, in U.S. Appl. No. 16/481,962, Drouillard, J., et al., § 371(c) date: Jul. 30, 2019, 10 pages. [cited by applicant]
Office Action mailed Oct. 22, 2021, in U.S. Appl. No. 16/481,962, Drouillard, J., et al., § 371(c) date: Jul. 30, 2019, 8 pages. [cited by applicant]
Lalsiamthara, J., “Log phase vs stationary phase for storage?” ResearchGate.net, accessed at https://www.researchgate.net/post/Log_phase_vs_stationary_phase_for_storage, accessed on Apr. 5, 2024, 8 pages. [cited by applicant]
Office Action mailed Oct. 31, 2023, in U.S. Appl. No. 18/352,801, Drouillard, J., et al., filed Jul. 14, 2023, 12 pages. [cited by applicant]
Office Action mailed Feb. 8, 2024, in U.S. Appl. No. 18/352,801, Drouillard, J., et al., filed Jul. 14, 2023, 8 pages. [cited by applicant]
Dianawati, D., et al., “Stability of microencapsulated [cited by applicant]
Santivarangkna, C., et al., “Alternative drying processes for the industrial preservation of lactic acid starter cultures,” Biotechnol Prog 23(2):302-315, Wiley, United States (Mar. 2007). [cited by applicant]
Miller, K.A., “Utilizing Lactipro ( [cited by applicant]
MS Biotec, Press Release on Apr. 1, 2015, “MS Biotec announces release of Lactipro Advance,” accessed at https://www.feedstuffs.com/agribusiness-news/ms-biotec-announces-release-of-lactipro-advance, accessed on Jun. 12,… [cited by applicant]
Receipt of Deposit [cited by applicant]
Office Action mailed May 29, 2024, in U.S. Appl. No. 18/352,801, Drouillard, J., et al., filed Jul. 14, 2023, 11 pages. [cited by applicant]