Genetically modified (GM) insect-resistant maize has a good prospect of commercial application in China. The patent layout analysis was carried out to clarify the global research and development (R&D) pattern of GM insect-resistant maize technology, understand the technology development trend, and figure out the technical development gap in China to provide data support for rational deploying the technological innovation of GM insect-resistant maize, promoting its industrialization development in an orderly manner and improving the layout and protection of intellectual property rights in China. Based on the patent information, the global R&D pattern of GM insect-resistant maize technology was analyzed from the dimensions of the application year, region distribution and R&D subject by using the bibliometric method. The technical hotspots, development history and future development trends of GM insect-resistant maize technology were clarified through text clustering and technology development route analysis. The results show that the current research and development of global GM insect-resistant maize technology tends to be mature. The United States and China are the leading technology origin countries. The United States has significant advantages in patent scale, global layout and industrialization development. The international seed industry giants have enough patents and a comprehensive geographical structure. Expression vector construction is a key technical branch in the field. Chimeric genes composed of multiple insect-resistant genes and the combination of multi-insect-resistant gene expression cassettes are future development directions. There still exists a gap in the patent application number, global layout and industrialization development level of GM insect-resistant maize in China, with insufficient patent layout in the technical branch of expression vector construction and identification methods. It is suggested that China should emphasize gene expression vector construction technology to optimize the structure of technology research and development, actively cultivate the innovation ability of seed enterprises to strengthen its position as the main body of innovation and enhance the level of intellectual property protection and the strategic awareness of global layout.