Patent analysis of the alternative protein industry associated with synthetic biology

LIU Ya'nan; WANG Ke; LIU Shutong; WANG Ying; LI Jinna; WANG Cong; MENG Yu; WU Chongming

doi:10.12211/2096-8280.2025-092

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Patent analysis of the alternative protein industry associated with synthetic biology

Invited Review | 更新时间：2026-05-22

- Patent analysis of the alternative protein industry associated with synthetic biology
- Synthetic Biology Journal Vol. 7, Issue 2, Pages: 390-407(2026)
- 作者机构：
  
  1.中国科学院天津工业生物技术研究所，天津 300308
  2.国家合成生物技术创新中心，天津 300308
  3.天津国家合成生物技术创新中心有限公司，天津 300308
- 作者简介：
- 基金信息：
- DOI：10.12211/2096-8280.2025-092
  CLC： Q816;Q819
- Received：26 September 2025，
  
  Revised：2025-11-04，
  
  Published：30 April 2026
- 稿件说明：
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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， 2026， 7（2）： 390-407

LIU Ya'nan， WANG Ke， LIU Shutong， WANG Ying， LI Jinna， WANG Cong， MENG Yu， WU Chongming. Patent analysis of the alternative protein industry associated with synthetic biology［J］. Synthetic Biology Journal， 2026， 7（2）： 390-407
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， 2026， 7（2）： 390-407 DOI： 10.12211/2096-8280.2025-092.

LIU Ya'nan， WANG Ke， LIU Shutong， WANG Ying， LI Jinna， WANG Cong， MENG Yu， WU Chongming. Patent analysis of the alternative protein industry associated with synthetic biology［J］. Synthetic Biology Journal， 2026， 7（2）： 390-407 DOI： 10.12211/2096-8280.2025-092.

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在挑战。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。随着合成生物学与发酵工程等底层技术的持续突破，中国有望在替代蛋白领域构建从源头创新到产业落地的完整生态体系，成为全球替代蛋白技术与产业标准的重要引领者。

Abstract

Driven by an increasing global demand for proteins

the alternative-proteins sector has entered a rapid expansion on production capacity and technological upgrading. China now leads in both the production volume and annual growth of patent applications with alternative-proteins

yet remains under-represented in international patent families and overseas jurisdictions

constraining its competitiveness abroad. This paper first dissects the global protein demand 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 proteins

cell-cultured meat

and plant molecular agriculture — the study offers a systematic roadmap for technological innovation and designed patent landscape. 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 production volumes and key technological areas. Based on these analyses

several recommendations are proposed to accelerate the development of China’s alternative proteins industry

such as establishing a foundational patent system to breakthrough key platform technologies

strengthening global patent landscape

and enhancing international competitiveness.While a global leader in patent volume

China’s alternative proteins 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: applying international patents for 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 collaboration within the industry chain; and actively participating in global governance to transition from a technology adopter to a co-architect of international standards and regulations

which will solidify China’s pivotal role in the global alternative proteins landscape

directly contributing to its national food security and low-carbon development goals.

关键词

Keywords

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