Analysis of biopesticide patents based on IncoPat

We analysed patent data from 1997-2016 using the CNIPR patent database, evaluating the number of applicants, disclosing year, IPC classification and effective distribution by searching classification codes, key words and a combination of both by adopting tools like incoPat. The results showed that the number of biopesticidepatents in China steadily increased since the 1990s. The number of disclosed biopesticide patents grew by about 30% every year, reaching 14 022 in 2016. Invention was the main class of patents, accounting for 96.03%; enterprise was the main applicant, accounting for 36.11%. China’s development trend was consistent with the global trend. However, there are still gaps between China and the developed countries in research and development of new technologies in the field, therefore the strategic deployment of new technology development in the field should be enhanced. Additionally,intellectual property protection and patent documentation should be further strengthened.