I. Overview of patent data

1. Overall situation

As of August 31, 2026, the cumulative number of published patents in the biomedical field related to synthetic biology and biomanufacturing (taking IPC classification numbers C12N15 "Mutation or Genetic Engineering" and C12P "Fermentation or Enzyme-Using Processes to Synthesize a Desired Chemical Compound or Composition" as the basis for the statistical criteria) reached approximately 2.3545 million (2,354,487). C12N15 includes core genetic engineering technologies such as recombinant DNA technology, gene editing, and synthetic biology tools, while C12P covers core biomanufacturing processes such as microbial fermentation and enzymatic catalytic synthesis. These two classification numbers jointly define the patent technology boundary of synthetic biology and biomanufacturing. During the period from August 16 to 31, 2026, there were 4,207 new patents published in this field, an increase of approximately 3.9% compared with the first half of the month (4,051), showing that global R&D and patent deployment in synthetic biology and biomanufacturing continue to remain highly active.

2. Patentee rankings (top 3 by cumulative published applications)

In terms of applicants, patents related to synthetic biology and biomanufacturing are mainly concentrated among the following institutions: Roche/Genentech (approximately 44,103, of which Roche with 22,787 and Genentech with 21,316), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS, 24,716), and BASF (19,443). In addition, Monsanto (19,397) trails BASF by only 46, following closely behind. international pharmaceutical and industrial biotechnology giants such as Novartis (15,832), Merck (including Merck KGaA and Merck & Co.), Bayer, Novozymes, DSM, Amgen, Regeneron have deep portfolios in this field. What is to be noticed is that the Chinese Academy of Sciences ranks second globally with nearly 24,700, leaving the gap significantly from third-place BASF, which indicates that Chinese academic research institutions already possess strong patent output capacity in basic research on synthetic biology.

3. Newly published patents from August 16 to 31, 2026

During the period from August 16 to 31, 2026, there were 4,207 new patents published in the field of synthetic biology and biomanufacturing, an increase of approximately 3.9% month-on-month. The newly published patents were concentrated among the following patentees: the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS, 110), the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS, 73), and Jiangnan University (36). The newly added patents are mainly from universities and agricultural research institutions focused on agricultural and food biotechnology, reflecting that China's research enthusiasm in the field of synthetic biology and biomanufacturing has continued to rise.

II. Summary and outlook

1. Patent trend analysis

Future patent competition in synthetic biology and biomanufacturing may follow these trends: first, AI-driven enzyme/protein design and gene editing tool patents will increase at an accelerating rate; second, low-carbon biomanufacturing patents represented by non-food biomass and CO2 carbon source utilization will become new hotspots; third, the patent advantages of Chinese academic institutions in agricultural biotechnology and food biomanufacturing will further expand, with enormous potential for industrial transformation.

2. Analysis of industry dynamics

In term of industrial application, three main lines clearly show for the current industrialization path in the field of synthetic biology and biomanufacturing.

The first is the accelerated formation of regional pilot-scale transformation infrastructure.

The second is the concentrated realization of large-scale mass production of high-value-added products.

The third is the two-wheel drive of capital and policy.

3. Outlook

Based on patent data and industry dynamics, synthetic biology and biomanufacturing field may show the following development trends in the short term:

First, the deep integration of AI and synthetic biology will become a core competitive track.

Second, non-food carbon sources and the high-value conversion of CO2 will continue to lead the industrialization of biomanufacturing.

Third, the patent advantages of Chinese academic institutions will continue to expand and the patent will be accelerated toward industrial transformation. China is expected to develop global competitiveness in segmented fields such as agricultural biotechnology, food biomanufacturing, and bio-based materials.

From High-Quality IP

September 9th, 2026