Research on the evolution of biotechnology cooperation networks - a study based on patent data in China from 2004 to 2023.

Introduction: Biotechnology has significant potential in public health, offering critical support for communicable disease control, chronic illness management, and drug development. To foster biotechnology innovation, governments increasingly incentivize cooperations among organizations, resulting in more interconnected biotechnology cooperation networks. However, research on the evolution of these networks rely primarily on static network analysis and neglect the micromechanisms under the evolution, which lead to deviations in policymaking. Methods: Using temporal exponential random graph model (TERGM), which accounts for dynamic network correlations, and based on micromechanisms framework consisting of agency, opportunity and inertia, this study analyzes the impacts of both endogenous and exogenous factors on the evolution of biotechnology cooperation networks. Results: The empirical analysis based on China's biotechnology patent data from 2004 to 2023 reveals the following findings and policy recommendations. First, the evolution of the biotechnology cooperation networks is temporally dependent, highlighting the need for awareness of policy lags. Second, two endogenous factors - transitivity and convergence - emerge in the evolution, implying the need for government to create information platforms, establish targeted project subsidies, and enforce technical confidentiality policies. Finally, with regard to exogenous factors, the networks exhibit geographical homogeneity, implying the needs for government to promote cross-regional cooperation by establishing innovation centers and unified standards to mitigate lock-in effects and barriers.