Where Technology Meets the Clinic
Where Technology Meets the Clinic
Global and Southeast Asia Patents in Long-Read Sequencing
Chatarin Wangsanuwat, Panitchaporn Thanyawasin, Aunthikarn Sudjai, Pattaraporn Nimsamer, Sopacha Arayamethakorn, Piroon Jenjareonpun, Manop Pithukpakorn, Thidathip Wongsurawat
An interactive overview of global and regional patent trends
Long-read sequencing (LRS), or third-generation sequencing, is transforming genomics by delivering longer, more accurate reads that reveal complex structural variations and enhance genome assembly. As costs fall and access improves, LRS adoption is expanding beyond high-income countries into emerging regions like Southeast Asia—where the technology is already influencing diagnostics and healthcare innovation. Recognizing this potential, Thailand's Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B) supported a patent landscape analysis to assess global and Southeast Asian innovation, with a particular focus on Thailand's position and opportunity.
Worldwide Patent Analysis
1. Global Patent Filing Trend
After years of quiet progress, patent activity in clinical long-read sequencing is now surging. Things stayed relatively flat until 2011—but since then, the field has picked up serious speed. A major spike between 2016 and 2020 signaled rising global interest, culminating in a peak in 2022. Because of the 18-month publication delay, recent filings from 2023 and 2024 are still under the radar—meaning the real curve is likely even steeper. The post-2020 boom aligns with major breakthroughs in accuracy and sensitivity from players like Nanopore and PacBio, pushing long-read sequencing closer to everyday clinical use. What’s at stake isn’t just innovation—it’s how long-read sequencing will change clinical care.
Geographical Filing Trend (by jurisdiction)
Patent activity in clinical long-read sequencing is global—but the race is led by a few major players. The analysis distinguishes between two key types of jurisdictions:
• Priority Jurisdictions: where patents are first filed, marking the invention’s origin.
• Publication Jurisdictions: where those patents are later published, often indicating strategic expansion.
2.1 Top Priority Jurisdictions Distribution
China stands out on both fronts. Over half of all patent families originated there, and more than 70% were also published in China. Since overtaking the U.S. in 2016, China has maintained a strong lead in patent volume—fueled by a growing biotech sector and pro-patent policies. This suggests not just local innovation, but a deliberate push to dominate the IP space. Meanwhile, the U.S. holds the second spot for priority filings, reflecting its established leadership in biotech innovation. WIPO—the World Intellectual Property Organization—ranks second for publication, highlighting global companies’ desire to secure protection across multiple regions via the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
2.2 Top Publication Jurisdictions Distribution
Publication jurisdictions reveal strategic global filing behavior. China leads in published families, followed by WIPO and other key regions, underscoring where inventors seek market protection.
2.3 Domestic Market Preference
About 93% of patents with priority in China remain domestic, whereas nearly 90% of U.S. patents publish internationally, highlighting divergent strategies.
2.4 Top Applicants
BGI leads with 30 patent families, followed by major players like ONT, Illumina, and PacBio, reflecting both technological and clinical end-user momentum.
2.5 Distribution of Patent Families by End Application
While platform patents remain strong, clinical categories—disease detection and variant analysis—grew significantly post-2020, signaling real-world impact.
Southeast Asia Still Watching From the Sidelines
3. Southeast Asia Patent Landscape
Only 17 patent families were published across SEA, with Singapore as the main hub—mostly by international filers adding the region for coverage rather than core innovation.
3.1 SEA Applicants by Count of Patent Families
U.S. and global leaders like 10X Genomics and Guardant Health led filings in Singapore. Local institutions have minimal representation.
Key Takeaways
SEA isn't a priority—patents are filed here mostly as part of global strategies.
Singapore dominates, but looks outward—even local giants like A*STAR file internationally.
Local innovation is missing—SEA risks falling behind in clinical genomics.
This isn't just a policy problem—it reflects a deeper issue in capacity.
A shortage of skilled bioinformaticians, especially in sequencing data analysis, is limiting Thailand's ability to turn research into innovation.
Building a stronger bioinformatics workforce is critical to unlock scientific progress and leadership in clinical genomics.
Global patent activity in clinical long-read sequencing has surged since 2016, peaking in 2022. China and the U.S. dominate this space, though their strategies diverge.