Infant Bacterial Therapeutics AB (publ) announced that the Chinese patent office has issued a decision to grant approval of IBTs patent application entitled: A method of activating lactic acid bacteria, which protects formulations of Lactobacillus reuteri including IBP-9414. IBT is currently developing its drug candidate IBP-9414 in Phase III for the prevention of NEC and improvement of feeding tolerance in preterm infants. The invention covers a novel way to activate the freeze-dried bacteria and corresponding patent applications for the invention are currently pending in additional important future markets including the US and Europe. IBT recently received similar patent protection in Japan. This patent increases the existing protection of IBTs drug candidate IBP-9414 in addition to Orphan Drug Exclusivity and biological data protection already established in the USA and EU. The Chinese patent expires in 2036 and the IBP-9414 product covered by this patent is intended to be marketed in China after future marketing authorization.