Patent-based analysis of biosafety trends in synthetic biology

Abstract

This study explored biosafety trends in synthetic biology through patent analysis. As an interdisciplinary field, synthetic biology brings innovation opportunities to society, but it is accompanied by risks, such as the leakage of biological materials and genetic contamination. The Derwent Innovations Index database was used to retrieve 90 relevant patents for in-depth analysis. Through thematic term identification and data cleansing, the patent landscape and technological advancements at the intersection of synthetic biology and biosafety were assessed. Four biosafety classifications were proposed – operational biosafety, technical cell-culture limitations, pathogenic microorganism biosafety and infrastructure and facility biosafety – providing an empirical basis for relevant policymaking and practice. Quantitative analysis showed that over half of the patents were filed between 2017 and 2022 and that US patents focus mainly on operational-level safety, while Chinese patents emphasise infrastructure innovation. This study highlighted the importance of the patent literature in revealing biosafety issues in synthetic biology and suggested that these patents could be used to guide further patent applications and disclosures to promote the safe development and regulation of synthetic biology.