Working Paper: NBER ID: w21666
Authors: Bhaven Sampat; Heidi L. Williams
Abstract: We investigate whether patents on human genes have affected follow-on scientific research and product development. Using administrative data on successful and unsuccessful patent applications submitted to the US Patent and Trademark Office, we link the exact gene sequences claimed in each application with data measuring follow-on scientific research and commercial investments. Using this data, we document novel evidence of selection into patenting: patented genes appear more valuable—prior to being patented—than non-patented genes. This evidence of selection motivates two quasi-experimental approaches, both of which suggest that on average gene patents have had no quantitatively important effect on follow-on innovation.
Keywords: patents; innovation; human genome; follow-on research; biotechnology
JEL Codes: I10; I18; O34
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| leniency of patent examiner (K11) | patent grants (O38) |
| gene patents (O34) | followon innovation (O36) |
| patent grants (O38) | followon innovation (O36) |
| accepted patent applications (O34) | followon innovation (O36) |
| rejected patent applications (O34) | followon innovation (O36) |