Investigating the Industrial Prospects of Nanopore Sequencing by Patent Search

Nanopore sequencing is a nucleic acid (RNA and DNA) sequencing technology that utilizes nanopores to measure the sequence of nucleic acids. It achieves sequencing by measuring changes in electrical conductivity or ion flow as nucleic acids pass through nanopores, without the need to fragment the DNA or RNA molecules into smaller pieces, as traditional sequencing methods do.

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The core of nanopore sequencing involves passing nucleic acids through nanopores, which are tiny openings with a diameter of approximately 1 nanometer, typically made from proteins or solid-state materials. As nucleic acid molecules are guided through the nanopores, their passage interferes with the electrical conductivity or ion flow within the nanopore. Variations in these electrical signals can be detected and recorded, and through algorithmic analysis, converted into corresponding sequence information. This technology has found widespread applications in fields such as research and clinical diagnostics.

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By observing the patent application status related to nanopore sequencing, it is possible to predict industry development trends. The author conducted searches in the five major patent databases (China, United States, Europe, Japan, and South Korea) to determine the patent application status for nanopore sequencing-related patents. This article focuses on three main observations: (1) the changes in the patent application trends for nanopore sequencing-related patents over the past 20 years; (2) the top 10 patent assignees for nanopore sequencing-related patents; (3) the changes in patent application trends over the past 20 years for nanopore sequencing-related patents in the five major patent databases.

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Firstly, in terms of the application trends, a statistical analysis of the patent application numbers from 2002 to 2021 revealed that before 2011, the number of patent applications related to nanopore sequencing was not significant. However, starting in 2012, there has been a year-on-year increase in patent applications, indicating that more and more patent applicants are actively investing in patenting nanopore sequencing technologies.

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In addition, the top 10 patent holders for nanopore sequencing-related patents were identified, with PACIFIC BIOSCIENCES OF CALIFORNIA, INC. leading the way with 36 patent applications. PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE followed with 33 patent applications, and ROCHE SEQUENCING SOLUTIONS, INC. and OXFORD NANOPORE TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED each had 29 patent applications. It is clear that the major patent holders in this technology field are primarily overseas companies.

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The author attempted to cross-analyze the changes in patent application trends over the past 20 years, combining the distribution across the five major patent databases (China, United States, Europe, Japan, and South Korea). It was found that since 2018, the number of applications in China has shown a rapid increase, surpassing the United States in 2021 to become the country with the highest number of patent applications related to nanopore sequencing. This indicates that many patent applicants are actively expanding into the Chinese market.

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In summary, the number of patent applications related to nanopore sequencing is increasing year by year in various countries. However, major patent holders are still primarily overseas entities. Nevertheless, the number of patent applications in China has been rapidly rising, and it may become the country with the highest number of patent applications in this technology field in the future. This shows that an increasing number of patent applicants are recognizing the importance of establishing a patent presence related to nanopore sequencing in China.