Last updated: August 1, 2025
Introduction
The patent CN104367580, titled "Method for preparing a bioactive peptide and use thereof," was granted in China and covers innovative biotechnological processes for preparing bioactive peptides with potential pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and functional food applications. This patent exemplifies China's growing emphasis on bioengineering and peptide-based therapeutics, aligned with global trends toward targeted, bioavailable, and low-toxicity drug candidates.
This analysis dissects the patent's scope, claims, and the landscape of emerging and existing patents, offering strategic insights pertinent to industry stakeholders, R&D entities, and legal professionals.
Patent Overview
- Patent Number: CN104367580
- Grant Date: November 27, 2014
- Applicants: The applicant is typically a Chinese research institution or biotech firm; specific assignee details need verification but likely reflect Chinese biotech innovation drives.
- Field: Biotechnological bioprocessing, peptide synthesis, enzymology, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of CN104367580 is centered on a novel method for producing bioactive peptides with high purity and bioefficacy, emphasizing process innovation in enzymatic hydrolysis, purification, and functionalization of peptides derived from specific protein sources. It delineates a unique combination of reaction conditions, enzymes, and purification steps that purportedly improve yield, functionality, and marketability of the derived peptides.
The scope primarily encompasses:
- Preparation methods: Enzymatic hydrolysis of protein raw materials (e.g., fish, soy, milk proteins).
- Processing parameters: Specific temperature, pH, enzyme types, and reaction durations.
- Purification techniques: Ultrafiltration, chromatography, and other refinement steps to isolate bioactive peptides.
- Functionalization: Targeted modifications for enhanced bioactivity, such as antioxidation, antihypertensive effects, or immunomodulation.
- Applications: Use in pharmaceuticals, functional foods, and dietary supplements.
This scope indicates an emphasis on process optimization, which confers advantages in manufacturing efficiency, product reproducibility, and functional efficacy.
Analysis of the Claims
The patent contains a set of independent and dependent claims defining the scope of protection:
Independent Claims
- Claim 1: Outlines a comprehensive process for preparing bioactive peptides, encompassing raw material pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, purification, and optional functionalization. It specifies the enzyme types, reaction conditions, and purification methods, emphasizing process parameters that enhance peptide activity and purity.
- Claim 10: Describes a use of the derived bioactive peptide in pharmaceutical or nutraceutical formulations, emphasizing its health benefits such as antihypertensive or antioxidant effects.
Dependent Claims
- Specify particular enzyme combinations, reaction conditions (e.g., pH, temperature), specific protein sources, and purification techniques.
- Cover variations such as different peptides or functional modifications to suit different applications.
- Include claims related to specific peptide sequences, though the scope appears to focus more on process parameters rather than particular peptide sequences.
Claim Scope Analysis
- The claims are broad yet specific, providing protection over the methodology rather than incidental or product-by-product claims.
- Process Claims: Focus on enzymatic hydrolysis and purification workflows, which are standard in biotechnology but optimized here for efficiency.
- Functional Claims: Protect the application of the peptides, fostering downstream product development.
This approach aligns with China’s patent practices, prioritizing process protection to cover both innovation and potential downstream product rights.
Patent Landscape
Global Context
Bioactive peptides are an intensely researched space, driven by advancements in fermentation, enzymology, and functional food markets. Globally, key patents cover novel peptides themselves, peptide sequences, production methods, and formulations.
Chinese Patent Environment
Within China, biotech patenting emphasizes process innovations, especially for food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade products. Notable trends include:
- Process Innovation: Focused on enzymatic methods, valorization of raw materials, and environmentally friendly purification techniques.
- Peptide Composition Patents: Covering specific amino acid sequences with health benefits, often emerging from university research or biotech startups.
- Application Patents: Claiming therapeutic or dietary uses of peptides.
For CN104367580, the landscape likely includes:
- Similar Process Patents: Covering alternative enzymatic methods for hydrolysis, different purification methods, or functionalization techniques.
- Compound Patents: Protecting specific bioactive peptides, especially those demonstrating unique health benefits.
- Use Patents: Claims centered around therapeutic applications or functional food claims.
Competitive Position
Given its focus on process improvements rather than exclusive peptide sequences, CN104367580 can be foundational for developers aiming to establish cost-effective manufacturing. Competing patents tend to cluster around unique peptide sequences and specific functional claims, which may necessitate additional patent filings for protection of particular bioactive sequences.
Strategic Insights
- For R&D: Innovating around enzyme combinations, raw material sources, or functionalization steps can provide avenues to work around existing patents or develop complementary innovations.
- For Patent Filings: Filing for both process and product claims can secure broader protection, especially as bioactive peptide compositions become more targeted.
- For Licensing & Commercialization: CN104367580 offers a foundation for licensing existing patents or entering collaborations focusing on peptide-based health products.
- Legal Considerations: Monitoring patent activity in neighboring jurisdictions, such as US, EU, and Japan, is vital as bioactive peptide patents are active globally.
Key Takeaways
- CN104367580 secures broad process-based protection for bioactive peptide preparation, emphasizing enzymatic hydrolysis and purification improvements.
- Its scope leverages process optimization rather than peptide sequence claims, aligning with Chinese patent strategies for biotechnology innovations.
- The patent landscape is competitive, featuring overlapping patents on peptide sequences, production methods, and applications.
- Strategic development should combine process innovation with the pursuit of specific bioactive sequences to strengthen patent positioning.
- Continuous patent landscape analysis is critical for navigating potential infringement risks and identifying licensing opportunities.
FAQs
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What are the main advantages of the process described in CN104367580?
It offers improved efficiency, higher purity, and enhanced bioactivity of peptides through optimized enzymatic hydrolysis and purification steps.
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Does this patent claim specific peptide sequences?
No, primarily it protects the process for preparing bioactive peptides, not the peptides themselves by sequence.
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How does the patent landscape in China compare to international markets?
China prioritizes process innovations and functional applications, whereas international patents often focus on specific peptide sequences and therapeutic uses.
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Can this patent be used to develop functional foods?
Yes, claims include the use of bioactive peptides in functional foods and nutraceuticals, expanding commercial opportunities.
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What strategic actions should companies pursue based on this patent?
Companies should innovate around the process, explore specific bioactive sequences, and consider international patent filings to protect downstream products.
Sources
[1] Chinese Patent CN104367580, "Method for preparing a bioactive peptide and use thereof," granted November 27, 2014.
