How to Quickly Identify Your Target Sequence in Dense Patent Claims with Patsnap

Navigating the labyrinth of patents can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, especially when delving into the nuanced world of patent sequences.

In this article, we’ll explore what target sequences and patent claims are, and explain how Patsnap helps accelerate the research process.

Let’s get started!

Jump to . . .

• What is a Target Sequence?
• What are Patent Claims?
• How Target Sequences and Patent Claims Connect
• How Patsnap Accelerates the Research Process

What is a Target Sequence?

A target sequence refers to a specific DNA, RNA, or protein sequence that a researcher or company is particularly interested in, either because of its potential applications, unique functionalities, or its value in ongoing projects.

Think of it as the “golden ticket” amidst the vast and dense world of patented sequences. Just like one would zero in on a specific chapter in a massive tome, a patent search zeroes in on a target sequence amidst the myriad of sequences stored in patent databases. This precision allows for more efficient R&D, ensuring that innovators aren’t treading already patented grounds.

What are Patent Claims?

Imagine an inventor’s blueprint, detailing the essence of their brainchild. Patent claims are akin to these blueprints. They precisely define the boundaries of an invention, laying out what it is and, just as crucially, what it is not.

These claims serve as the heart and soul of a patent, staking a clear territory in the vast intellectual property (IP) landscape. They delineate the scope of protection granted to the inventor. Just like a fortress’s boundary walls protect its treasures, patent claims safeguard an inventor’s unique ideas, ensuring no trespassers unknowingly or knowingly step onto their intellectual turf.

In essence, if patents were novels, patent claims would be their pivotal chapters, capturing the crux of the story and setting the stage for all the drama (or disputes) to unfold. So, when navigating the patent realm, understanding claims is pivotal – they’re the beacon guiding one’s journey, ensuring clarity and protection in a sea of innovation.

How Target Sequences and Patent Claims Connect

A targeted sequence in a patent search will often be the subject of one or more patent claims. These claims describe and protect the specific uses, applications, or methods related to that sequence. In other words, the patent claims offer a protective embrace to these sequences, ensuring their intellectual sanctity.

By understanding the targeted sequences within patent claims, a researcher can ascertain what specific aspects of a sequence have been previously claimed and protected. This knowledge prevents them from inadvertently infringing on existing patents. Secondly, by delving deep into these claims, a researcher can identify gaps or opportunities, potentially paving the way for novel innovations or alternative applications.

How Patsnap Accelerates the Research Process

With the Patsnap patent database and its Bio Database at your fingertips, identifying your target sequence is a breeze. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started:

1.) Register for a free account

2.) Once registered, input the patent number (for example, ‘WO2018020476A1’), into the patent data search bar.

3.) Access the patent’s main page to see its details and check the disclosed rights in the right-claim section. Then, in the top right, select “Sequence Assistant,” input your desired sequence such as SASYRYS, and click “Search Sequence,” as illustrated in the figure below.

4.) For a clearer view, activate the “Sequence Highlight” feature on the right. Sequences that fully match will shine in red, partial matches in yellow, and other patent sequences in blue. This distinction makes it straightforward to spot your target sequence, such as “SEQ ID NO: 5”, within the claim of rights, showcasing all its positions.

Follow these four steps each time you need to quickly identify your target sequence in dense patent claims.

About Patsnap Bio

Patsnap Bio offers the most extensive sequence search platform within Patsnap’s suite of products. Merging AI with expert-curated data, it offers an in-depth analysis of protein and nucleotide sequences sourced from global patents, biological journals, and public databases. Key biological sequences receive manual annotations, highlighting structural changes, ensuring utmost accuracy and optimizing sequence retrieval efficiency.

To get started, create an account today. Registration is free, so you have nothing to lose and so much insight to gain!