TCM Patents, A Neglected Information Resource for TCM R & D / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

ABSTRACT

As a kind of new literature resource, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) patent emerged in 1993 followed by a rapid development. Patent is a literature with academic, commercial, legal characteristics, carrying lots of the most timely and useful fruits of TCM research. The technological level of patent is not inferior to scientific papers, even better in terms of timeliness. By the end of 2013, the total number of patent applications for inventions related to traditional medicine had reached 204 000. For a long time, the study on TCM patents always focus on the tool of protection of intellectual property. While its role, as an information resources and a bridge binding scientific research and new drug development, has not been given adequate attention. This article briefly describes the job of the Key Lab of traditional medicine patent information resources and Beijing East Linden company, in medicine patent processing and utilization, and the idea of realizing the value of patent information resources, promoting innovation and development of Chinese medicine.