COMMERCIALISATION PROCESSES IN BIOINFORMATICS:

This paper sets out to document the converging nature of the innovation process in bioinformatics; to examine patenting strategies of bioinformatics companies; to identify the nature of the key companies and other organisations in the bioinformatics innovation process; and to identify the key research teams involved. It is very much work in progress. Given the complex nature of patent analysis and issues with the definition of bioinformatics, much of the paper is devoted to providing an outline of various patent analysis methodologies and the implications of those methodologies for the analysis and conclusions. The key conclusions are summarised below. Documenting the Reality of Convergence. The analysis of patent subclasses documents key aspects of the process of convergence for the technologies involved in bioinformatics. It shows the expected patent cross classification between IT and biotechnology classes, together with the complex weaving together of information technology and biotechnology to provide new solutions. Declining Role for Specialist Bioinformatics Companies. The analysis demonstrate