Abstract
BackgroundMany valuable and productive patented technologies have been developed to control schistosomiasis in China in the past 70 years. We conducted a research to analyse patented technologies for schistosomiasis control and prevention filed by Chinese applicants for determining the future patent layout.MethodsThe patent databases of China National Intellectual Property Administration and Baiten were comprehensively searched, and patented technologies for schistosomiasis control and prevention, published between January 1950 and December 2020 filed by Chinese applicants were sorted on 30 December 2020. The patent types, technical fields, and patent development trends were analysed using patent indexing.ResultsThere are 184 valid schistosomiasis control technology patents, among them 128 invention patents. The patents related to schistosomiasis control and prevention technology have gone through the germination, growth, and maturity stages. These phases correspond with three phases in schistosomiasis control in China. The main technical aspects were fundamental research (n = 37), detection (n = 13), chemotherapy (n = 61), and armamentarium/devices (n = 73), of which the number of patents for detection for diagnosis was smaller. The top three specialised technical fields for patents subgroups, focusing on antiparasitic agents, DNA or RNA, vectors and medicines, of which schistosomicides are the major dominant subgroup.ConclusionsWe recommend that technologies to be patented for schistosomiasis control and prevention be focused on detection, preliminary studies for molecular detection methods should be significantly enhanced, and patent layout must be performed, which will, in turn, promote accuracy of early diagnosis, not only in humans but also in livestock. It is necessary to develop more anti-schistosomal drugs safely and effectively, exceptionally eco-friendly molluscicides and herbal extracts anti-schistosomes, improve treatment, develop vaccines for use in humans.Graphic abstract
Highlights
Many valuable and productive patented technologies have been developed to control schistosomiasis in China in the past 70 years
Patent search strategy The search was conducted in the China Patent Database from China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA, weblink: https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/) and the Baiten Patent Database independently for patents related to schistosomiasis control and prevention published between January 1950 and December 2020, using the following search terms: ’Schistosoma’ AND ’Oncomelania’ AND ’Schistosoma’ on December 30, 2020
These phases corresponded with three phases in schistosomiasis control in China: the first stage, the second stage, and the third stage [6, 28], with the implementation of patents for interventions on infection source control, transmission control or transmission interruption, and protection of susceptible population [29]
Summary
Many valuable and productive patented technologies have been developed to control schistosomiasis in China in the past 70 years. We conducted a research to analyse patented technologies for schistosomiasis control and prevention filed by Chinese applicants for determining the future patent layout. Schistosomiasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by six species of trematodes. The major three species of schistosomes, namely, Schistosoma japonicum, S. manosni, and S. haematobium cause schistosomiasis in a wide range of endemic areas and severe harm to human health [1,2,3]. Xiong et al Infect Dis Poverty (2021) 10:84 caused by S. japonicum is predominantly prevalent in China [5,6,7,8]. A total of 30 170 advanced schistosomiasis cases was documented in China in 2019. Oncomelania hupensis, is the only intermediate host snail of S. japonica, with snail habitats 3.6 billion m2 in 2019 [9]
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