Can chemical substances be patented?

Generally speaking, chemical substances cannot be patented. Article 25 of the Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) stipulates that no patent right shall be granted for the following items: (1) scientific discovery; (2) rules and methods of intellectual activities; (3) Methods of diagnosis and treatment of diseases; (4) Species of animals and plants; (5) substances obtained by nuclear transformation; (six) the design of the pattern, color or the combination of the two. The production method of the products listed in Item (4) of the preceding paragraph may be granted a patent right in accordance with the provisions of this Law.