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Biotechnology Patent Classification

Genetic engineering classifies in C12N: microorganisms, enzymes, vectors and the mutation or genetic-engineering processes that include CRISPR-based editing.

The diagnostic side, assays that measure or test with nucleic acids, from PCR tests to sequencing chemistry, sits in C12Q.

The classification codes that matter

C12N 650,624 filings 2013–2023

MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING…

Microorganisms and genetic engineering: vectors, cell lines and gene-editing processes including CRISPR.

2018 → 2023: 59,302 → 68,426 filings (+15 %)

C12Q 266,123 filings 2013–2023

MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS;…

Nucleic-acid diagnostics: PCR, sequencing assays and molecular testing.

2018 → 2023: 25,175 → 25,006 filings (-1 %)

Who files here: top applicants

  1. 1 CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 10,330
  2. 2 HARVARD UNIVERSITY (US) 7,308
  3. 3 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (US) 6,383
  4. 4 JIANGNAN UNIVERSITY 5,144
  5. 5 MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY (US) 4,121

IPC filings 2013–2023, aggregated across the codes above. Source: EPO PATSTAT.

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