European universities drive innovation with increased patenting

European universities are playing a growing role in the patent system, impacting both local and global innovation. A recent study by the European Patent Office examines how universities contribute to patent applications, knowledge transfer, and technology development. 

Patents serve as key tools for moving academic research into the marketplace, and this study offers new insights into universities’ strengths and challenges in IP portfolio management. This overview of academic patenting practices across Europe highlights national differences, collaboration networks, and the benefits and obstacles universities face in bringing research to market.

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Top European universities leading in academic patents
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The EPO report highlights a significant concentration of academic patents among a few key universities and specific countries, reflecting areas of specialized research and innovation strength. The top 5% of European universities contribute nearly half of all academic patent applications, with leading institutions such as:

• University of Grenoble Alpes
• Technical University of Munich
• University of Oxford
• Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
• University of Copenhagen
• Polytechnic University of Milan

These institutions not only drive patenting activity but also enhance Europe’s competitiveness in cutting-edge research areas, supported by robust knowledge transfer offices and collaborative networks with industry and public research organizations.

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Academic patenting is growing
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The EPO study shows that European universities contribute over 10% of all European patents filed by European applicants. This share has been growing over the past two decades, with both direct and indirect patent applications increasing significantly. 

• Indirect applications—often filed by partner companies—refer to patents that universities develop in collaboration with external entities, such as companies or public research organizations, who then take on the responsibility of filing the patent. These applications are generally aimed at immediate industry needs, as the external partners typically have the resources and market access required to commercialize the technology quickly.
  
• Direct applications, on the other hand, are patents filed directly by universities themselves. These filings, which have nearly doubled since 2000, focus on scientific advancements driven by university research. However, because universities may not have the same commercialization infrastructure as industry partners, direct applications often require additional support to bring them to market.

The data shows a significant increase in direct patent applications by universities, rising from 24% in 2000 to 45% in 2019. This upward trend is largely due to policy reforms, such as the abolition of the “professor’s privilege” in several European countries, which transferred intellectual property ownership from individual researchers to universities.

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Different IP management approaches across Europe
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The study highlights diverse IP management practices among European countries. In Nordic countries, indirect applications are more common. Conversely, universities in France and Belgium tend to file patents directly, often collaborating with public research organizations (PROs). 

While a growing number of European universities are moving toward holding patent ownership themselves, approaches still vary widely by country, resulting in a complex and diverse academic patenting landscape across the continent.

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What are the commercialization challenges in university patents?
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Despite Europe’s strong position in academic research, universities face significant challenges in turning this research into market-ready products. Known as the “European paradox” this difficulty is linked to fragmented policies, limited funding, and risk-averse attitudes within university systems. 

While Europe produces extensive, high-quality research, many universities lack the resources and connections needed to move research findings toward commercialization. According to the EPO study, overcoming these issues requires more support for IP portfolio management and for the processes involved in technology transfer.

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Limited cross-border collaboration in the patent landscape
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While Europe aims for an integrated Single Market which is a unified area allowing for the free movement of goods, services, people, and capital across EU member states, cross-border knowledge flow remains limited within the academic sector. 

According to the report, most universities primarily operate within their national or regional ecosystems, with only 11% of indirect academic patent applications involving cross-border collaborations. 

This fragmentation creates barriers to the commercialization of university-led research on a pan-European scale, as most collaborations happen within national borders. Reducing these geographic barriers could enhance the cross-border movement of innovation and support a more connected European academic patent landscape.

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European universities lead in high-tech IP portfolio management
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The EPO report highlights that a small group of leading European universities are responsible for a significant portion of academic patent applications. These institutions typically concentrate on advanced fields, including:

• Nanotechnology
• Biotechnology
• Telecommunications
• Pharmaceuticals

These fields require significant research investment and offer competitive advantages in global technology markets. 

Knowledge transfer offices (KTOs) at these institutions play a crucial role in managing large patent portfolios and facilitating collaboration with industry partners to commercialize new technologies. Through KTOs, top-tier universities can generate revenue from their IP, strengthening their impact on advanced technological fields.

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Local industry ecosystems as a driver of successful university patenting
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The EPO study highlights how local industry environments play a key role in the success of university patents. Universities located in more industrialized areas of Europe benefit from strong collaborations that help commercialize research effectively. Key findings include:

• Higher commercialization rates: Universities in regions with high R&D capacity and industrial support tend to file more patents and achieve greater success in bringing innovations to market.
• Dependence on local partnerships: In less developed areas, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, universities rely on partnerships with nearby small businesses to advance research commercialization.

These collaborations allow smaller universities to play a vital role in regional development, even with fewer direct patents and smaller IP portfolios. Which shows that strong local industry ecosystems are essential to supporting universities’ IP management and commercialization efforts.

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The role of SMEs in academic patenting
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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in bringing university research to market. SMEs are responsible for one-third of indirect patent applications that involve university research, according to the study. 

These smaller companies often act as intermediaries, translating academic research into practical, market-oriented innovations. This strong participation by SMEs demonstrates their importance as partners for universities, especially in countries where large corporations are less prevalent. SMEs help bridge the gap between academic research and the needs of the commercial market, contributing significantly to Europe’s innovation ecosystem.

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Collaboration networks in academic patenting
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Close collaborations between universities and other research organizations contribute significantly to patenting activity. In the period from 2015 to 2019, 36% of university patents involved co-applicants, often other research organizations within the same country. 

For instance, nearly 80% of French university patents had co-applicants, typically large PROs like CNRS and INSERM. These collaborative relationships show the importance of structured networks in supporting IP portfolio management and in defining patent-sharing agreements across research partners.

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The growing need for startups in university patents 
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Startups are also shaping the patent landscape, contributing around 12% of all academic patents either alone or as co-applicants with universities. More than 1,500 European startups have filed patents based on university research, with three-quarters of these originating from a small number of institutions, including ETH Zurich, the University of Cambridge, and Paris Cité University. 

Startups similar to SMEs help bridge the gap between university research and market applications by pushing early-stage academic inventions forward. However, the fact that 10% of startups with European academic patents are headquartered in the US highlights the ongoing difficulties in commercializing new technologies within the EU single market.

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New policy support for the commercialization of university patents
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Recent policy changes aim to help universities bring their research to market. The new Unitary Patent system is expected to reduce the complexity of filing patents across Europe, while EU funding programs, like Horizon Europe and the European Innovation Council, offer support for technology transfer. These initiatives are helping to integrate IP portfolio management within universities and to address the commercialization challenges many institutions face.

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