Chemical Structure Search
Identify chemical structures cited in both patent and non-patent publications — drawn as complete structures, as variations in functional moieties, or as chains.
In chemistry, biochemistry and pharmaceuticals this is often the only reliable way to find the most pertinent references for an invention. It lets you advance R&D, influence ongoing patent litigation, monitor the competition and strengthen your intellectual property position. The service is aimed at the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors: it helps R&D professionals in their search for innovation, lets researchers work from a fuller picture, and gives IP counsel what they need to safeguard their clients’ rights.
When to Run a Systematic Structure Search
Compounds text searching will not find
To identify pertinent chemical compounds whose common name or IUPAC name never appears in the references.
Pinpoint results from the Markush structure
To identify results precisely from the Markush structure of the molecule, and from there find the applicable patents.
Strengthen a wider search
To improve landscape analysis, freedom-to-operate, patentability and invalidity searches wherever chemistry is involved.
Why Consider Synoptic IP
More than 2,000 structure searches a year
We carry out over 2,000 chemical structure searches annually, so the workflow and the query craft are well practised.
Technical grasp of complex structures
Our team has the technical proficiency to interpret complex structures, which is where the judgement in this work actually lives.
Skilled at structured queries
We are practised at building structured queries and getting good results out of structure search databases.
Substitutes and broader structures considered
Our analysis identifies structural similarities with substitutes, and weighs the option of choosing a solution with a broader structure.
API, substances, processes and polymers
We search for active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), chemical substances, chemical processes and polymers.
Multiple levels of quality check
Every search passes through several rounds of quality checking before delivery.
Cost matched to structure complexity
We adjust the search cost to the complexity of the chemical structure rather than charging a flat rate regardless.
Words From Our Clients
Verified LinkedIn reviews and client correspondence from patent attorneys and in-house IP teams who come back to us project after project.
We were very pleased with the patentability and FTO report that you produced for us back in November 2024.
I used Synoptic for a validity search and was pleased with the results. The rates were highly competitive, the deliverable was on time, and the results were as good as (if not better than) other searches I’ve used.
Erin J. FoxIntellectual Property Counsel · ITW
Thank you — the search was quite helpful. We’ll have your invoice processed promptly.
Thank you for your work on this matter. We were pleased with the search and will consider you for future searches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a chemical structure search?
A chemical structure search locates chemical data and structures cited in both patent and non-patent material, working from the structure itself rather than from names.
How is a chemical structure search carried out?
Using either paid or free databases. STN is one of the most widely used subscription databases for structure searching; well-known free options include ChemSpider, ChemDraw, SureChEMBL and PubChem.
Why does this search matter?
In chemistry, biochemistry and pharmaceuticals it is essential for finding the most pertinent references for a discovery — which is what lets you strengthen IP rights, drive R&D and keep an eye on the competition.
Who should run one?
Anyone creating a novel chemical entity for therapeutic, diagnostic or research purposes who intends to patent the structure. That includes R&D teams at pharmaceutical companies and researchers across the pharma and chemical fields.
How much does it cost?
Structure searches typically run on specialised subscription databases such as STN, which charge per query executed. The cost therefore varies with the scale of the search and the number of hits to be analysed.
Looking for a First-Class Patent Search Consultant?
Get Quotes Now!Chemical Structure Search
With Synoptic IP’s Chemical Structure Search, you can easily identify chemical structures cited in both patent and non-patent publications and You can also draw and identify the most pertinent references for inventions, particularly in chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmaceuticals, using complete chemical structures, variations in functional moieties, and chains. This will help you advance your R&D efforts, have an impact on ongoing patent litigation, monitor competition, and fortify your intellectual property rights.
Conduct a systematic chemical structure search:
- To identify pertinent chemical compounds whose common name and/or IUPAC name are not included in references.
- To precisely identify the results based on the Markush structure of the molecule and to find applicable patents.
- To improve Landscape Analysis, Freedom-To-Operate Search, Patentability Search, and Invalidity Search.
Synoptic IP’s Chemical Structure Search, aimed at the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors, helps R&D professionals in their quest for innovation, enables researchers to conduct better research, and enables IP counsels to safeguard their clients’ intellectual property.
Why Synoptic IP?
- Each year, more than 2000+ chemical structure searches are performed by us.
- We have good technical proficiency in understanding the complex structure
- We are skilled at creating structured queries and good search results using structured search databases.
- Our analysis includes identifying structural similarities with substitutes and considering the option of choosing a solution with a broader structure.
- We do searches for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), chemical substances, chemical processes, and polymers.
- We do multiple levels of quality checks.
- We can adjust the search cost based on the complexity of the chemical structure
FAQs
You can use either paid or free databases to conduct chemical structure searches. STN is one of the most widely used paid databases for finding chemical structures while other well-known free chemical structure search databases include ChemSpider, ChemDraw, SureChEMBL, and PubChem.
A chemical structure search facilitates locating chemical data and structures that have been cited in both patent-related and non-patent-related materials.
Particularly in the areas of chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmaceuticals, conducting a chemical structure search is essential for locating the most pertinent references for discoveries. This allows one to strengthen intellectual property rights, drive R&D, and keep an eye on the competition.
Anyone creating a novel chemical entity for therapeutic, diagnostic, or research reasons who is interested in patenting the structure should get chemical structure done. This includes R&D teams at pharmaceutical corporations and researchers in the pharma and chemical fields.
Typically, specialised paid databases like STN, which charge for each query executed on the database, are used for chemical structure searches.
As a result, the cost of a structure can vary depending on the magnitude of the search and the number of hits to be analysed.
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