After the systems, methods and criteria for assessment of scientific research capability in USA, Germany, Britain and Japan were described, the advances in studies on assessment of scientific research capability in China were summarized, their characteristics were compared, and the enlightenments to perform assessment of medical research institution capability were elaborated.

After the antidepressant patents were retrieved from Innography, their distribution, R& D level, hot spots and core patents were analyzed , which showed that the largest number of antidepressant patents was produced in USA, the medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients were the hot spots, the technological and economic strengths of Pfizer, Novo and Sanofi-Aventis were relatively tremendous.The law-suited patents, reex-amined patents and patent strength were mined.