Global Patent Layout of Genetically Modified Insect-resistant Maize and Development Suggestions to China

Genetically modified (GM) insect-resistant maize has a good prospect of commercial application in China. The patent layout analysis was carried out to clarify the global research and development (R & D) pattern of GM insect-resistant maize technology, understand the technology development trend, and figure out the technical development gap in China, so as to provide data support for rational deploying of the technological innovation and industrialization development of GM insect-resistant maize and improving the layout and protection of intellectual property rights in China. Based on the patent information, the global R & D pattern of GM insect-resistant maize technology was analyzed from the dimensions of application year, region distribution and R & D subject by using the bibliometric method. Through text clustering and technology development route analysis, the technical hotspots, development history and future development trend of GM insect-resistant maize technology were clarified. The results show that the current research and development of global GM insect-resistant maize technology tends to be mature. The United States and China are the main technology origin countries. The United States has significant advantages in patent scale, global layout and industrialization development. The international seed industry giants have enough patents and a wide geographical layout. Expression vectors construction is key technical branch in the field. Chimeric genes composed of multiple insect-resistant genes and the combination of multi insect-resistant gene expression cassettes are future development direction. There still exists a gap in the patent application number, global layout and industrialization development level of GM insect-resistant maize in China, with insufficient patent layout in technical branch of expression vector construction and identification methods. It is suggested that China should put emphasis on gene expression vector construction technology to optimize the layout of technology research and development, actively cultivate the innovation ability of seed enterprises to strengthen its position as the main body of innovation, and enhance the level of intellectual property protection and the strategic awareness of global layout.