Jurassic Patent: Colossal Biosciences' Bid to Patent the “Woolly Mammoth”
Colossal Biosciences, the Texas-based startup known for its ambitious de-extinction efforts, is moving to secure intellectual property rights over genetically modified animals—starting with its most famous project: the “woolly mammoth.” As the company races to revive extinct species, it is also laying claim to their legal and commercial future through an aggressive patenting strategy.
Patenting the Past
MIT Technology Review has uncovered that Colossal has filed a patent application covering gene-edited elephants that carry specific genetic traits from extinct woolly mammoths. The application, titled “Woolly mammoth specific gene variants and compositions comprising same”, seeks rights to dozens of mammoth genes and any animal containing them—potentially establishing a legal monopoly over the creation and sale of mammoth-like elephants.
CEO Ben Lamm confirmed the patent strategy in an email, stating that it would help the company maintain control over how these animals are introduced and managed—especially in the early stages of de-extinction, which Colossal describes as a critical transition period.
A Legal First for Extinct Life
While patents on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have existed since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1980 decision allowing rights on an oil-eating bacterium, Colossal's application pushes into uncharted legal territory. The company is attempting to patent animals based on extinct DNA, not just technological methods or tools used to modify them.
Legal experts say the move could set a precedent in biotechnology, prompting questions about who—or what—can be owned when it comes to revived species reintroduced into the wild. “This could set precedent for intellectual-property rights over engineered versions of extinct species,” said Cassie Edgar, a biotech-focused attorney.
From Permafrost to Patents
Colossal’s vision extends beyond scientific novelty. The company sees potential for significant revenue streams from its engineered animals. According to Lamm, each “mammoth” could generate $2 million in carbon capture services by trampling Siberian landscapes to preserve permafrost, thereby trapping greenhouse gases. There’s also talk of ecotourism and licensing, especially if the company revives charismatic species like the dodo.
Yet many observers remain skeptical of both the science and the ethics. No mammoth-like elephants have been born, and Colossal’s recent announcement of having “revived” the dire wolf—actually a gray wolf with minor genetic edits—has been widely criticized as misleading.
Trademarks and “Mammice”
Colossal isn’t stopping at patents. The company has also filed trademarks for genetically modified animals, including “Mammouse”—a genetically hairy mouse used as a mammoth research proxy—and “Woolly Mouse,” which it plans to use on apparel and toy lines. While Lamm said there are no immediate plans for a gift shop, he emphasized the importance of protecting the brand identity of its creatures.
“It seems like people connect with these animals on an emotional level,” he said. “We need to ensure that we can protect our brand.”
Dividing the De-Extinction Community
Colossal’s approach is not universally accepted in the de-extinction space. Revive & Restore, a California-based nonprofit pursuing the return of the passenger pigeon, says it has no plans to patent its revived birds. “They will be protected under existing wildlife laws,” said spokesperson Elizabeth Bennett.
Even Cory Smith, one of the scientists involved in Colossal’s earlier patent filing during his time at Harvard, expressed concern: “I’m not sure it should have an owner… Maybe the animals shouldn’t be patented.”
Patents, Secrecy, and Commercial Potential
During a recent media push, Colossal withheld key details about its transgenic wolves, citing “intellectual-property reasons”—a move that shielded the data from public scrutiny while preserving eligibility for patent protection.
In the biotech industry, filing broad patent claims early is a common venture capital strategy. “In the scenario where woolly mammoths become important for partners, it would be better to create some barrier to entry,” said Andy Tang, a partner at Draper Associates, an investor in Colossal. “It’s just cheaper to invest in patents early.”
What the Patent Seeks to Control
The mammoth patent application goes beyond methods and includes 29 claims on genes associated with traits like cold resistance, immune response, hair density, and cognitive function. Legal experts predict the patent office will likely force revisions, as applications are usually narrowed during review. Still, if granted in part or whole, it could solidify Colossal’s hold over de-extinct mammoths and their commercial use for decades.
“This could be a stalking horse—er, mammoth?—for what aspects of revived species are patentable,” said law professor Jacob Sherkow.
The Bigger Picture: Ownership in the Age of De-Extinction
Colossal’s pursuit of patent rights over its revived animals touches on larger societal debates about ownership, ethics, and the boundaries of biotechnology. At a time when scientists are unlocking the ability to recreate species from the past, the question is no longer “Can we do this?” but increasingly “Who gets to profit—and who decides?”
Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for continued coverage of biotechnology, ethics in de-extinction, and the growing intersection of science, law, and the future of life on Earth.
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