INESC TEC among the Portuguese institutions with the most patent applications in Europe last year

INESC TEC among the Portuguese institutions with the most patent applications in Europe last year

For the fourth consecutive year, INESC TEC is in the top five of national entities with the most patent applications submitted to the European Patent Office (EPO). According to data announced by the EPO, in 2020, INESC TEC submitted 12 patent applications, being the third institution at national level with more applications submitted.

18th March 2021

This number shows an increase of four patents, when compared to the previous year. INESC TEC patent applications comprehend medical technologies to support diagnosis, telecommunications, cybersecurity and instrumentation

“The European patents are important tools to value the R&D results produced at INESC TEC. We are happy to see that the efforts by the Technology Licensing Office (SAL) and the Centres led INESC TEC to a leadership position in Portugal, also acknowledging the increasing responsibility and importance of valuing these assets", said Daniel Vasconcelos, head of SAL.

The EPO reported 249 patent applications by Portuguese entities, a reduction of 8.5% considering the same period in 2019. The University of Minho had the highest number of patent applications in Portugal (20). The A4TEC (Association for the Advancement of Tissue Engineering and Cell Based Technologies & Therapies) with 14 applications, and INESC TEC, with 12 submissions, are part of the top five, followed by Saronikos Trading and Services and the University of Évora, both with seven applications.

Concerning research areas in Portugal, patent applications in the health sector showed a significant increase, with special emphasis on medical technology (12% of the total) and the pharmaceutical industry (10%).

The researcher mentioned in this news piece is associated with INESC TEC.