Chemical Structure / Sequence Search
Deep-dive molecular analysis to secure your pharmaceutical and chemical innovations.
What is a Chemical Structure Search?
It is a very technical search for chemical compounds, ranging from particular molecular structures to salts, polymorphs, and even generic Markush structures (structures found in patent claims to cover all related compounds). It requires specialized software to "draw" and search for sub-structures and similarities. This specialized patent search for chemical structures and pharma patent search is basically the key components involved in performing an actual chemical compound patent search. In order to know the extent of what a chemical prior art search involves, it would be useful to analyze how a chemical patent search actually conducts its searches on both chemical prior arts and structure prior arts.
Why is this Search Done?
- Pharmaceutical R&D: Determine if your drug candidate or its intermediates have been patented yet by conducting patentability search for chemical structures.
- Freedom to Operate: Find out whether your chemical synthesis or chemical compound will infringe on existing patents with generic "Markush" structures by freedom to operate search for chemical compounds, deep markush claim analysis and a comprehensive chemical FTO search.
- Patent Invalidation: Search for possible embodiments that may invalidate a competitor's overbroad chemical patent. This strategy functions as invalidity search for pharmaceutical patents to break down broad structural claims.
Our Methodology
- Drawings: We make use of professional tools like ChemDraw to map the target molecule or generic framework which is a foundational step for executing a precise substructure search.
- Multimodal Search: We perform searches using various identifiers such as IUPAC names, SMILES identifier, InChl key, and CAS registry number which enables focused SMILES search patent protocol & in-depth capsaicin and CAS registry number searching.
- Data Mining: We tend to use high-end scientific database systems like STN, SciFinder, and PubChem, which makes us elite STN patent search providers capable of also incorporating biological prior art search or tracking sequence prior art when required.
- Interpretation by Experts: Our team of PhD expert chemists interprets complicated “R-groups” tablets to deliver a hit/miss report, which ensures accurate Markush claim analysis.
Why Choose Intellect Bastion?
We possess great knowledge regarding chemical patents, making us one of the leading chemical patent search companies and specialized IP search firms for pharma. Our expert chemical patent searchers and dedicated patent search firm experts prepare thorough reports with information related to exact matches, similar structures, and possible patent issues for decision-making in R&D. When you look to outsource chemical patent search to India or leverage specialized Pharma IP search capabilities, our Patent search team in India allows you to outsource patent search workflows seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to top questions about Patentability Search, novelty evaluation, and the patent filing process.
What is a "Markush" structure, and why is it harder to search?
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The Markush structure refers to a generic formula containing variables (like R1) that may comprise thousands or even millions of different molecules. The process of "expansion" of the formula requires sophisticated tools.
Which specialized databases (like CAS STN or Reaxys) do you use?
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We employ the "Gold Standard" resources for the search – CAS STN, Reaxys, and PubChem, all of which provide the ability to search using the actual drawing of the molecular structure, not the keyword-based approach.
Can you search for specific isotopes, salts, or polymorphs of a compound?
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Yes, we are able to find a patent protecting your particular salt form or polymorphic crystal structure of an already discovered molecule.
How do you handle "substructure" vs. "similarity" searches?
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Substructure searches will locate molecules where your target is found as part of a bigger molecule, while similarity searches will identify molecules sharing the same "core" or molecular pattern with yours.
Can you identify if a specific chemical reaction pathway is patented?
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Yes, we can search for the "Method of Synthesis" to see if your specific way of building a molecule is already claimed by a competitor.
How do you report findings for a large family of related chemical compounds?
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Results are organized under the heading "Scaffolds" as we know the important parts of chemistry that need to be analyzed. This will help you identify which portions are active ("busy") and which are inactive ("free").
Are your analysts trained chemists or PhDs?
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Yes. Our chemical search experts are PhDs or Master's degree holders from the field of Organic/Medicinal Chemistry who know the science behind the structure.
Can you search for chemical formulations (mixtures) rather than just single molecules?
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Yes. Our chemical search can cover synergies like the ratio and combination of active substances, stabilizing elements, and solvents used in consumer products/pharmaceutical products.
How do you navigate the "vague" chemical descriptions often found in older patents?
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We conduct a thorough text mining analysis with a state-of-the-art IUPAC nomenclature identification engine to find compounds that were named in text but never properly "illustrated" in patents.
Can you provide the "registry numbers" for the compounds found?
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Each of our reports contains CAS Registry Numbers, SMILES, and InChIs to facilitate identification within your R&D department.
Don’t File Blind — Do a Patentability Search First
Give your invention the best start! Learn why a patentability search is crucial and how to check originality using the right tools and strategies.