synthetic biology
In-depth analysis
Potter Clarkson in collaboration with Inevus Advanced Analytics have conducted a bespoke, in-depth analysis of European patent filings in synthetic biology, published between 2004 – 2023. Transformers supported topic modeling identified 40 topics via appropriate clustering of therapeutic and non-therapeutic-related uses of engineering biology / synthetic biology.
The definition of synthetic biology used was relatively broad, to encompass the whole repertoire of technology areas in which synthetic biology may be applied.
patent analytics
Topic modeling leveraging transformers
The topic model procedure supports multi-label classification accounting for multiple invention embodiments. Transformers leveraged clustering enables topic discovery before a final stage of manual data cleaning and standardisation, introducing further domain knowledge to refine topics. Topic model trends can be contrasted across 40 key areas.
Topics include therapeutic-related areas e.g. antibody uses/therapeutics, immunotherapy peptides, etc and non-therapeutic areas including biofuels, alternative proteins, etc.
dataset
Exploring 20 years of data based on identifying innovative Synthetic Biology patenting examples via European patent office filings published during 2004-23. Only filings made at the European Patent Office were analysed to keep the number somewhat manageable.
Patents are published 18 months after they are filed – this means there is potentially an 18-month lag in the data versus what is happening now with new patent filings.
topic model trends
The SynBio / engineering biology topic model enables exploration of publication trends and comparison of patenting growth rates. Deep dives enable identification of trending subtopics within selected topic areas.
Analysis of top filers and their portfolios across the technology areas identified, enables analysis of potential partners/licensors and competitor insights.
assignee country insights
Providing a perspective of the UK’s ranking within SynBio on the world stage via publication trends and specialisation index. Mapping SynBio patenting within the UK to determine regional expertise and contrasting commercial and university sectors.
Synthetic biology innovations are being commercialised to a similar extent by universities and non-university entities across the US and the UK.