Multidimensional analysis on patent in research of monkeypox virus based on ESTP model

  Objective   Monkeypox discovered in 1958, mainly spread in west and central Africa. Since May 2022, more than 77 000 monkeypox cases have occurred in 109 countries around the world, and on July 23 2022, the World Health Organization announced that the monkeypox outbreak represented a public health emergency of international concern. On September 16, the first imported monkeypox case was reported in the mainland of China. In the context of global spread of monkeypox, including in non-epidemic countries, more attention should be paid to the possible monkeypox epidemic in China, including technology development and prevention and control preparedness.

  Methods  Multidimensional analysis was conducted on the patent status, subjects, technology development and competitive position of monkeypox virus research in the world based on ESTP model.

  Results  The results showed that although the patents application in monkeypox virus research field has a history of more than 30 years, the total number of patents was not large. Relevant patent applications were mainly made in America, and monkeypox related pharmaceutical preparations and anti-infective drugs were the main patent application technology categories. In China, the patent activity indicators such as RSI index, patent occupancy were low, and the patent quality indicators such as average protection coverage and average protection area were not high.

  Conclusion  Compared with America, Canada, Australia, the research in monkeypox virus in China started later. It is necessary to further strengthen the strategic development for the research of monkeypox virus, improve the intensity and coverage of patent protection, and improve the level of relevant intellectual property rights and core technology reserve capacity in the field of medical health and biosafety.