The number of European patent applications submitted by universities, public research organisations, and research hospitals has more than doubled over the past twenty years. According to new figures published by the European Patent Office (EPO), patent applications from public research institutions across Europe increased from around 3,200 in 2006 to nearly 8,000 in 2025. While Germany, France, and the United Kingdom continue to lead in total applications, their combined share has gradually declined.
Diversity
According to the EPO, this shift does not reflect weaker performance from Europe’s leading countries. Instead, it points to a broader, more geographically diverse research landscape. The agency highlighted the Netherlands and Spain as countries experiencing particularly strong growth in patent filings from public research institutions.
In the Netherlands, research organisation TNO led the rankings with 142 European patent applications in 2025. This achievement placed the institute eighth among public research organisations across Europe. Delft University of Technology ranked second nationally with 22 applications. Eindhoven University of Technology and the University of Groningen tied for third place with 18 applications each, while the University of Twente completed the Dutch top five with 14 filings.
High-Tech Innovation
The majority of patent applications from these institutions were concentrated in fields such as measurement technology, digital communications, computer technology, biotechnology, medical technology, and semiconductors. Patents allow organizations to protect technical inventions and prevent others from commercially copying their innovations without permission.
Ranking
The EPO also reported strong activity among Dutch spin-off companies. In 2025, the Netherlands ranked seventh in Europe with 245 spin-offs that filed patent applications through the office. A spin-off is a company created from an existing organisation, often to commercialise research, technologies, or innovations developed within a university or research institution.
@anp | NEWSBRAINPORT
