Patent Analysis of the Alternative Protein Industry Based on Synthetic Biology

doi:10.12211/2096-8280.2025-092

Abstract

Abstract:

Driven by an intensifying global protein shortfall, the alternative-protein sector has entered a phase of rapid capacity expansion and iterative technological upgrading. China now leads in both absolute volume and annual growth of alternative-protein patent applications, yet remains under-represented in high-value patent families and overseas jurisdictions, constraining its international competitiveness. This paper first dissects the global protein crisis and the consequent rise of alternative proteins. It then provides a panoramic scan of worldwide and domestic industrial landscapes and competitive dynamics. Finally, by applying a big-data patent lens to three technology tracks—single-cell protein, cell-cultured meat and plant molecular agriculture—the study offers a systematic roadmap of technological innovation and patent landscape designed. Our focus is on analyzing global patent filing trends and mapping the development of specific fields to identify major players. The study includes a detailed breakdown of leading companies' patent portfolios, assessing their volume and key technological areas. Based on these analyses, several recommendations are proposed to accelerate the development of China's alternative protein industry, such as establishing a foundational patent system to breakthrough key platform technologies, strengthening global patentllandscape, and enhancing international competitiveness.While a global leader in patent volume, China's alternative protein sector must navigate a crucial strategic repositioning to evolve from a patent giant into an industrial leader. Future strategy should be built on three pillars: cultivating high-value patents with global protection, particularly for critical attributes like safety and efficacy, to ensure regulatory compliance and international market access; fostering an enterprise-driven innovation ecosystem that rapidly translates research and experimental development into market-ready solutions through full industry chain collaboration; and actively participating in global governance to transition from a technology adopter to a co-architect of international standards and regulations. Achieving this will solidify China's pivotal role in the global alternative protein landscape, directly contributing to national food security and low-carbon development goals.

Key words: Alternative protein, Single-cell protein, Microbial protein, Patent analysis, Synthetic biology

摘要：

替代蛋白产业作为应对全球粮食安全与可持续发展挑战的新路径、新业态，正迎来快速发展与技术迭代。在全球蛋白危机将至的背景下，中国如何抓住替代蛋白这一战略机遇，通过有前瞻性的原始技术创新和高质量的专利布局，逐步转变为未来的技术和产业领导者是我们面临的现实问题。研究显示，中国在专利申请量与增速上已跃居全球领先地位，但在基础性与平台型技术储备、创新策源结构方面仍存挑战。本文首先系统剖析了全球蛋白危机与替代蛋白兴起的时代背景，继而全景式扫描了全球及中国产业发展与竞争格局，再通过专利数据分析，聚焦于单细胞蛋白、细胞培养肉、植物分子农业蛋白，为中国加速发展替代蛋白产业提出了系统性的技术创新与专利布局建议，如构建基础专利体系以突破关键平台技术，强化全球专利布局，提升国际竞争能力等。

关键词: 替代蛋白, 单细胞蛋白, 微生物蛋白, 专利分析, 合成生物学

CLC Number:

Q816

Liu Yanan, Wang Ke, Liu Shutong, Wang Ying, Li Jinna, Wang Cong, Meng Yu, Wu Chongming. Patent Analysis of the Alternative Protein Industry Based on Synthetic Biology[J]. Synthetic Biology Journal, DOI: 10.12211/2096-8280.2025-092.

刘亚男, 王可, 刘书彤, 王英, 李金娜, 王聪, 孟宇, 吴崇明. 基于合成生物学的替代蛋白产业专利分析[J]. 合成生物学, DOI: 10.12211/2096-8280.2025-092.

Figures/Tables 16

Fig. 2-1 Global patent application trends in the alternative protein industry and patent filing trends in china

Fig. 2-3 Major technology source countries/regions for global patents in the alternative protein industry and the leading technology source countries/regions in the past five years

Fig. 2-2 Key Technology target countries /regions for global patent applications in the alternative protein industry and the key technology target countries /regions in the past five year

Fig. 2-4 Main technology components of global patents in the alternative protein industry and the key technology components in the past five years

Fig.3-2 Evolution path of microbial protein technology

Fig. 3-1 Global patent filing trends and patent filing trends in china within the microbial protein segment

Fig. 3-3 Key patent applicants in bacterial single-cell protein industry

Fig. 3-4 Key Patent applicants in the microalgal biomass protein industry

Fig. 3-5 Key patent applicants in the fungal protein industry

Fig. 3-6 Global and china patent application trends in the precision fermentation protein industry

Fig. 3-7 Key patent applicants in the dairy protein industry

Fig. 3-8 Key patent applicants in the heme protein industry

Fig 3-9 Key patent applicants in the ovalbumin industry

Fig. 3-10 Global and china patent application trends in the cell-cultured meat industry

Fig. 3-11 Key patent applicants in the cell-cultured meat industry

Fig. 3-12 Global and china patent application trends in the plant molecular agriculture industry

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