Fitosteroles y Patentes: Sus Aplicaciones en la Industria Farmacéutica.

Phytosterols are currently being used for different purposes in human health. Since these compounds can only be obtained from plants, many scientists all over the world dedicate efforts to look for ways of obtaining them and possible by products. The significance and value of information from patents, an intense search of documents related with obtaining procedures was carried out, as well as derived products and uses which are protected by the Patent Rights. The information on patents granted by the United Stated Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) from 1976 to 2004 was carefully processed and analyzed. As a result of the increase on uses of phytosterols in drug and cosmetic industry, a remarkable number of patents were observed. Particularly, application of phytosterols for human health was noticed by the raise of patents grouped under the International Patent Classification A61K in last decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]