Nature Biotechnology Ranks DuPont No. 1 in Biotech Patents

The Patent Board™ and Nature Biotechnology Rank DuPont No. 1 Innovator in Chemical Industry and No. 1 in Biotech Patents

WILMINGTON, Del.– DuPont has achieved top rankings in science and patent strength according to several leading indicators published by The Patent Board™ and Nature Biotechnology. The Patent Board™, a well-known patent advisor which specializes in tracking and analyzing innovation, movement and business value of patent assets across 17 global industries, has named DuPont the No. 1 innovator in the chemical industry this past quarter. In addition, the scientific journal Nature Biotechnology named DuPont as the organization with the most U.S. biotechnology patents issued in its annual biotech patents listing.

“Science is at the core of DuPont. The best way we can protect our science is through a strong intellectual property strategy,” said DuPont Senior Vice President and Chief Science & Technology Officer Uma Chowdhry. “These recognitions demonstrate that our strategy is working and we are leading the industry in creating new science and protecting it in a way that helps ensure we bring differentiated value to our customers.”

In 2007, DuPont increased its patent filings by 7 percent compared to 2006 and saw an increase of 17 percent for patents granted by the United States Patent Office. The total of 597 patents granted in 2007 was the highest number for the company since 1992.

The Patent Board™ released the Chemicals Patent Scorecard™ last month. It announced that DuPont leads the chemical industry in its analysis of patents for the 13-week quarter ending Jan. 1, 2008. According to the Patent Board™: “DuPont maintains their leadership position in the chemicals sector exhibiting an unprecedented lead over No. 2 3M Co. and the remainder of the Top 10 Patent Scorecard companies.”

DuPont scored high points on Technology Strength™, Science Strength™ and Patent Count™, according to the Patent Board™ Leaving Pioneer.com. Technology Strength™ is a measure of the overall strength of the company’s patent portfolio holdings based on a combined indication of quality and quantity. Science Strength™ indicates how much a company uses science in building its patent portfolio based on a combined measure of science and quantity. DuPont leads the competition by over 800 percent in Science Strength™ at 8,894.3 points, with BASF Group in second place with 1,062.3 points and 3M Co. in third with 909 points.

Nature Biotechnology publishes an annual data page with analysis of the biotechnology patent landscape. The December 2007 edition Leaving Pioneer.com includes the journal’s patent analysis for 2006, which recognizes DuPont and its Pioneer Hi-Bred business with having 161 U.S. biotechnology patents issued, placing DuPont first among organizations such as the University of California, Genentech and the U.S. government.

“Our integrated approach to science and technology is paying off, as we have been equally honored for our efforts in both chemistry and biotechnology,” Chowdhry said. “We are at a unique moment in history where huge business opportunities are inherent in global trends related to population growth; increasing living standards that demand solutions for more and better food; renewable materials; safety and security; energy efficiency and alternative energy; and connectivity. Our strong R&D pipeline is fully aligned to capitalize on these opportunities. Also, our integrated approach to developing market-driven solutions using biology, chemistry, and materials science will continue to deliver sustainable growth.”