Analysis on patent intelligence of COVID-19 prevention technology based on Regional Patent Information Dervice (Nanjing) Center / 中华医学科研管理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:This study analyzes COVID-19 prevention and treatment technology patents from 103 countries and regions worldwide, in order to have a good grasp of the most-current trends in COVID-19 prevention and treatment technology research worldwide, discuss the research directions of such technologies, provide theoretical foundations for interdisciplinary and multi-team cooperation.Methods:The retrieval strategies were constructed utilizing the retrieval and analysis system by the Regional Patent Information Service (Nanjing) Center of The State Intellectual Property Office and IncoPat's scientific and technological innovation platform, using third-level branches as the unit and separating the retrieval and proof processes, the queries built using IPC classification numbers and key words; the search was limited to invention patents, with utility models and designs excluded.Results:On February 14, 2020, there had been a total number of 136 087 invention patent applications for COVID-19 prevention and treatment technologies globally. In terms of the country of origin, the U. S. ranked first with 56 095 patents, followed by China (18 096). In terms of technical field, the top three were chemical therapeutic agents (47 634), vaccines (47 248) and diagnostic tests (12 991), with the U. S. possessing absolutely advantageous patent portfolios in all three fields. The applicants were mainly comprised of large enterprises abroad and universities and research institutes in China.Conclusions:China′s COVID-19 related patent applications are relatively scattered. In the field of chemotherapy, there is room for improvement compared with the advanced countries, and cooperation between scientific institutions and enterprises is insufficient. Therefore, China should further increase investment in chemical drug research and development and seize the opportunity to actively promote the research and development of vaccine technology. On the other hand, we need to consolidate the technical advantages and product advantages of epidemic prevention and control which are already accumulated, and strengthen the protection and layout of intellectual property rights. Furthermore, the technological innovation system combining production, education and research is the breakthrough point to encourage enterprises to become the subject of technological innovation.Last but not least, we should build a service platform for the transfer and transformation of scientific and technological achievements to enhance intellectual property rights and promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements.