A Feasible Pathway for Open Access to Human Embryonic Stem Cell Patents—With China's Open License for Patent as the Entry Point

China has entered the second stage on how to give full play to the value of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) patents, and the key to the issue is the open license instead of setting up the patent thicket. China has added the "open license for patent" to its patent law and multiple provincial-level administrative regions, including Beijing and Shanghai, have successively carried out open license pilot programs and achieved phased achievements. China's bold innovation in the open license for patent may have a positive impact on promoting the open access of hESC patents. From the perspective of patentees, it provides policy incentives and enhances the protection of rights. In terms of licensees, it reasonably determines the license fee and safeguards stable contract validity. From the higher strategic level, China's open license for patent can provide a beneficial model for various countries of open access of hESC patents.