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IPC Subclass
C12M

APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY

Introduced: January 1980

Classification Context

Section:
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
Class:
BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
Subclass:
APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY

Description

C12M covers equipment and apparatus specifically designed for enzymatic reactions, microbial cultivation, and related biochemical processes. This includes bioreactors, fermentation vessels, cell culture systems, and specialized laboratory apparatus for handling enzymes and microorganisms under controlled conditions. The classification encompasses apparatus for both research and industrial-scale applications, spanning sterile handling equipment, incubation chambers, and monitoring/control systems integral to biochemical operations. Related apparatus for genetic engineering or mutation processes falls within this subclass when the focus is on the physical equipment rather than the methods themselves.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass C12M recorded 171,419 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 7,594 in 2013 to 20,923 in 2023 (+176%), peaking at 22,037 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class C12 are CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (10,330 applications), HARVARD UNIVERSITY (7,308 applications) and UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (6,383 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Additional Content

Glossary

Enzyme enzymes Proteinaceous material which causes a chemical change in a starting material without being consumed in the reaction Microorganism microorganisms Comprises single-celled organisms such as bacteria, actinomycetales or single-celled fungi, e.g. yeasts; for the purposes of classification, this term also includes viruses, undifferentiated human, animal or plant cells, protozoa, tissues and unicellular algae.

Limiting references

Installations for fermenting manure Preservation of living parts of humans or animals Brewing apparatus Producing methane by anaerobic treatment of sludge Fermentation apparatus for wine Apparatus for preparing vinegar

Related Keywords

cultivation of CELLSCULTIVATION of living cells or tissuesCULTURE(S) of microorganisms in generalfoam CULTURE(S) methods for microorganismspreparing bacterial CULTURE(S)submerged CULTURE(S) methods for microorganismsapparatus for FERMENTATION in generalapparatus for MICROBIOLOGICAL processesapparatus for cultivation of MICROORGANISMSSTERILISING of culture media for microorganismsVIRUSES

2 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class C12, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 10,330
  2. HARVARD UNIVERSITY US 7,308
  3. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA US 6,383
  4. JIANGNAN UNIVERSITY 5,144
  5. MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY US 4,121
  6. PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL US 3,630
  7. REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS US 3,515
  8. CNRS (CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE) FR 3,499
  9. INSERM (INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE) FR 3,371
  10. CJ CHEILJEDANG CORPORATION KR 3,361