TB diagnosis: patent registers analysis in Brazil

SETTING TB remains a global challenge, requiring diagnostic innovations, especially for TB infection (TBI) cases. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to analyse patent registers related to TB diagnosis in a Brazilian database, promoting reflections on knowledge translation into clinical practice. DESIGN This research on digital documents was carried out in March 2025 in the National Institute of Industrial Property database. Data were assessed descriptively and analysed by using absolute and relative frequencies. RESULTS Of the 62 patents found, 71% were published by 2015, with an average time of 1,274 days between filing and publication. Half of the filers were companies or large corporations. Most patents refer to pharmaceutical compositions also intended for treatment and vaccines. Only six complete kits aimed at detecting TB disease and TBI, based on adenosine deaminase, sputum culture, MPB64 protein, fusion proteins, or synthetic peptide antigens. Some include assays for strains resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin. CONCLUSION The scarcity of registered innovative products reveals gaps in the early diagnosis of TB, especially in TBI. Investments in biotechnology and artificial intelligence may represent promising strategies to strengthen the fight against TB. .