OBJECTIVETo discuss the authorized patent of compound traditional Chinese medicines with different efficacy in 2010, in order to provide reference for R&D of relevant compounds and patent protection.

METHODLiteratures for patents of compound traditional Chinese medicines were searched to screen relevant data and create a sample space. The samples were classified by hierarchical cluster procedures and iterative partitioning procedures using "authorized percentage" and "authorized time interval" as variable quantities. The comprehensive results generated by the two clustering methods were used to draw a conclusion.

RESULTThe samples were classified into four groups by clustering methods, each has significant difference in authorized patents' number and authorized time interval with others.

CONCLUSIONAmong compounds showing therapeutic advantage of traditional Chinese medicines, patents with short authorization period and in less number can be given most attention for patent application. Those with longer authorization period and in less number can be given more attention. While those with shorter authorization period and in large number can also be given attention for information guidance for traditional Chinese medicine science and technology and commercialization of patent achievements.