Alternative Proteins - Subtopic Landscape

A synthetic biology perspective

The subset of SynBio – Alternative proteins related patents were further investigated to identify subtopics and assess trending areas. The topic model leverages a hybrid approach based on the optimised extractive summary for each publication. Using a combination of topic discovery via fine-tuned transformer based deep learning and ground truth cross referencing via keyword and classification codes. The process enables a patent to belong to more than one topic for accurate multi-classification trends, accounting for multiple invention embodiments. Please see the topic model page for further details regarding the topic model methodology to avoid duplication here.

Subtopic counts

The identified subtopics within the alternative proteins topic are shown in figure 1. The topics are ranked based on the total number of published applications since 2015. A patent application can be counted more than once as it can belong to multiple topics.

The classification of documents across the top 5 subtopics are as follows; material plant origin (63.4%), meat analogues (58.2%), microorganisms (40%), plant extracts / artificial duplicates (35.3%) and animal feed (33.6%). Microorganisms can be used to produce sustainable and nutritious alternatives to traditional animal and also plant based proteins, e.g. single cell proteins. The broader subtopics reveal prominent sources of alternative proteins such as plants, microorganisms including microalgae, fungi, yeasts and bacteria or single cell proteins.

Animal feed / food and fodder also has a noticeable distribution where alternative proteins can be used to replace or supplement conventional protein sources to address sustainability and environmental issues. The ranking of the broad subtopic labelled ‘meat analogues / plant protein based’ is very likely driven by increased market demand, high protein supplementation of food products such as cereals, etc. and the potential sustainability and environmental benefits of these products.

The alternative proteins subtopic publication year trends are shown in figure 2. Publication trends discussed below are based on EP A1/A2 applications, identified patents can belong to more than one subtopic due to multiple invention embodiments.

In figure 2, the fastest growing subtopics identified of note and based on compound annual growth rates during 2016-24 are soy based (43.9%), pulses & grain (38.4%), meat analogues (28.1%), proteins & extracts from algae (27%), material - plant origin (25.7%), nutrition (21.2%) and genetically modified plants (21.2%) are all above the 20% growth rate threshold.

Subtopic top 20 assignees distributions (published since 2015)

The patent portfolios of the top 20 assignees within the SynBio – alternative proteins dataset are analysed in figure 3. The portfolios are restricted to publications during 2015-24, mapped to the subtopics identified, the counts represent total EPO publications.

The heatmap in figure 3, reveals the distribution of the top 20 assignees since 2015, publications can be assigned to more than one subtopic, reflecting multiple invention embodiments. NESTLE is a key assignee with distributions across major subtopics such as materials (plant origin) (91 publications), meat analogues (86 publications) and diverse interests such as animal feed (30 publications) and soy based (35 publications). ROQUETTE FRERES has a leading distribution in the pluses and grain subtopic (51 publications). NUTRICA is one of the leading assignees focused on nutrition (37 publications) also extending to probiotics (24 publications) and FUJI OIL is also focused on Soy based proteins.

The analysis does not account for earlier publications prior to 2015, which may have contributed to companies developing market share, etc. and potential licensing and acquisitions (subsidiaries). The analysis is an informative guide as some specific subtopics have strict content boundaries to enable differentiation, whilst others are broader to capture more generic areas.