Three German university hospitals rank among Europe's most active research institutions in patent applications. According to a study by the European Patent Office (EPA), these clinics filed numerous patents between 2001 and 2020. Germany holds second place in Europe overall.
An analysis by the European Patent Office (EPA) in Munich reveals that the University Hospital Heidelberg, Charité in Berlin, and University Hospital Freiburg are among Europe's seven clinics with the most patent applications. European research hospitals more than tripled their share of direct patent filings between 2001 and 2020. This growth stems from an increased focus on protecting and commercializing inventions, as reported by the EPA.
Germany recorded 2,858 European patent applications from hospitals during this period, placing second in Europe. The study, conducted in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research, also evaluates the role of public research institutions. Nearly five percent of all European patent applications in the timeframe came from such entities.
Among the top ten public research institutions across 39 European countries, three are from Germany: the Fraunhofer Society at rank three, the Max Planck Society at rank seven, and the German Aerospace Center at rank ten. EPA President António Campinas stated: "To fully exploit their potential, we must collaborate more intensively and accelerate the transfer of research results into practical technologies." The study highlights the strength of public research in Europe and its contribution to enhancing competitiveness.