Analysis of global trends in patenting in the field of optogenetics

This paper provides an analysis of the patent landscape in optogenetics, an interdisciplinary field that utilises optical and genetic methods for selective manipulation of neuronal activity. The study aims to assess the current state of development in optogenetics and to identify promising future research directions through patent landscape analysis. The article presents the data on the size of the patent portfolio and its segmentation by key patenting subjects. Patents have been categorised based on primary therapeutic use across various disease areas. Key patent holders and leading researchers have been identified. The study uses patent analysis and statistics methods. The descriptive part of the study covers 1061 patent families between 2006 and 2025. The majority of patents concern proteins, particularly channelrhodopsins, including their compositions and use. A marked increase in patenting and publication activity has been observed since 2010, with patenting activity peaking in 2021. The analysis revealed the sustainable growth of cutting-edge technologies in the field of optogenetics, which is establishing new technological niches in medicine and biotechnology.