Novelty & FTO Search Tools in Biotechnology: Your Free & Paid Comprehensive Guide
By the BAZAD IP & TechBio Legal Team
Is the gene truly novel? Can the product be legally manufactured and marketed?
Perhaps the detection method is protected by a competitor’s patent.
A product might be scientifically new, yet still infringe an existing valid patent held by another entity.
In biotechnology and life sciences, technical novelty is not enough. You also need legal novelty — meaning the invention must not violate the intellectual property rights of others.
This brings us to two critical analyses every biotech innovator must consider:
- Novelty Search: Is my idea new compared to prior art?
- Freedom to Operate (FTO): Am I legally allowed to make, use, or sell this invention without infringing others’ rights?
Why Tools Matter: From R&D to Legal Clearance
Whether you’re filing a patent, launching a product, raising investment, entering a global market (U.S., EU, etc.), or negotiating a licensing/manufacturing deal — your team must ensure the invention is not only novel, but also legally safe.
To address this, a suite of professional search tools — both free and premium — has emerged to support researchers, patent attorneys, and innovators in making informed decisions before moving forward.
❖Free Tools
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NCBI BLAST
The gold standard for comparing DNA/protein sequences against global databases.
🔗 https://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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Google Patents
Fast, user-friendly interface for keyword-based global patent search.
🔗 https://patents.google.com
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Espacenet (EPO)
Access over 120 million patent documents from Europe and beyond.
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WIPO PATENTSCOPE
Focused on PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) applications worldwide.
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GenBank, PubMed, The Lens
For published sequence data, academic literature, and open patent landscapes.
❖Paid / Professional Tools
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Derwent Innovation (Clarivate)
Industry-standard for deep novelty and legal validity analysis.
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GenomeQuest
Tailored for legal sequence analysis and patent claims mapping in DNA/RNA/protein.
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PatSnap & Ambercite
Use AI to visualize and analyze patent networks, similarities, and litigation risks.
❖When to Use Free vs. Paid Tools?
| User Profile | Recommended Tools |
|---|---|
| Academic researchers / Early-stage innovators | BLAST, Google Patents, The Lens |
| Patent law firms / Startups / Biotech ventures | GenomeQuest, Derwent, Ambercite, PatSnap |
Remember: Paid tools offer deeper legal accuracy, analytics, and litigation risk mapping—vital for investors and regulatory compliance.
How BAZAD Helps:
At BAZAD Law Firm, we combine these tools to provide clients with:
- Comprehensive novelty & FTO evaluations
- Customized patentability and infringement risk reports
- Strategic advice for IP protection, licensing, and product launch clearance
📞 Book your free 30-minute consultation now at:
🌐 www.bazad.net
