Novel database reveals growing prominence of deep-sea life for marine bioprospecting

Perceptions that marine bioprospecting will deliver vast commercial benefits have placed ‘marine genetic resources’ at the center of key policy processes yet our knowledge about their importance remains limited. Here, we introduce a novel global database of marine gene sequences referenced in patent filings, the MArine Bioprospecting PATent (MABPAT) Database. It includes 25,682 sequences from 1,092 marine species associated with 3,258 patent filings, identified by analyzing all relevant sequencerecords from INSDC. Microbial life in the deep sea, a vast and remote biome predominantly beyond national jurisdiction, is already attracting significant commercial interest; all of the top 10 patent holders have filed marine gene patents referencing sequences from deep-sea life, and only three companies, BASF, IFF, and DuPont, included sequences from nearly two-thirds of all species. Our findings underscore the need for policymakers to ensure stewardship of deep-sea ecosystems while providing the most updated understanding of the marine bioprospecting landscape.