Patent data reveals strong focus on innovation
The volume of patent applications filed by UK businesses in Europe has risen significantly for the sixth year in a row – confirming the strong focus on innovation activity in many fields of scientific research and development (R&D), including biotech, pharmaceuticals and medical technologies.
The Patent Index 2019 report published by the European Patent Office (EPO) shows that patent applications originating in the UK rose by 6.9 percent to 6,156 in 2019; building on growth of 8.2 percent in 2018. The UK has also retained its 3 percent share of total European patent applications.
For the second year in a row, the increase in the volume of patent applications originating in the UK is above average compared to the overall increase in filings at the EPO, which rose by 4 percent to 181,406 in 2019. Of these, the largest number of applications originated in the US, Germany and Japan. The UK came 9th in the overall list of top-filing nations.
How is biotech innovation faring?
The data indicates that innovation activity linked to biotech research and development (R&D) was particularly strong in 2019.
As a sector, biotech generated the 8th highest number of European patent applications – 6,801 patents, up 1.7 percent on the previous year. Pharmaceuticals generated 7,697 European patent applications, up 4.4 percent on the previous year. Other R&D activity generating high volumes of European patent applications include pharmaceuticals and medical technologies, computer technology and digital communication.
Should the UK be investing more in innovation?
The UK has a strong reputation for scientific research and development and it is good to see evidence of more focus on innovation.
Compared to countries such as Germany and the US, there is still room for improvement however. Data published earlier this year shows that investment in R&D in the UK equates to just 1.7 percent of GDP, compared to 2.8 percent in the US, 3 percent in Germany and 4.6 percent in South Korea. Clearly, more investment to support scientific R&D is urgently needed.
Is funding on the way?
The Budget Statement on 11th March announced some very positive news about funding for R&D, which should help to boost innovation activity in the UK. As well as increasing public investment in R&D to £22bn by 2024-25 - almost double the current level - the Chancellor announced plans to invest £800m in a new ‘blue skies science research agency’, modelled on the US Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), to spearhead investment in early-stage R&D activity.
Dr Joanna Thurston is a partner and patent attorney at intellectual property firm, Withers & Rogers LLP
