Switzerland filed 956 requests for patents per million people compared to 884 the previous year.
Keystone
Switzerland takes the top spot in total patent filings per capita to the European Patent Office (EPO). Among Swiss companies, pharmaceutical company Roche leads the number of patent filings for the fourth year in a row while industrial and robotics company ABB recorded the fastest growth.
The EPO received 7,927 applications from the Alpine nation in 2018 – a 7.8% increase from 2017 and the highest level recorded since 2010 according to the agency’s annual report.
This represents 956 requests for patents per million people compared to 884 for the previous year. This was followed by the Netherlands with 416 applications per million inhabitants and Denmark with 411.
In terms of total applications, the United States is the most active with 25% of the total of 174,317 applications followed by Germany (15%) and Japan (13%). Switzerland and China both ranked 5th with 5% of total applications. While China’s patent filings increased by 8.8%, this was the country’s slowest growth in the last five years.
The measurement systems sector accounts for the largest share of patent applications with 10%, followed by medical technologies (9%).
Swiss scene
As for Swiss companies, Roche is the reigning champion for the fourth year in a row with a 1.2% increase to 651 patent filings in 2018. However, robotics and automation specialist ABB recorded a much higher increase in the number of patents (12.4%) with 571. Nestlé came in third among Swiss companies but filed 15.3% less patents than 2017.
Globally, Siemens led corporate filings with nearly 2,500 patents with Huawei coming in a close second. Roche came in 24th globally.
Among universities, the Federal Institutes of Technology in Zurich (ETHZ) and Lausanne (EPFL) took 13th and 14th place respectively.
More
More
Swiss remain top of world innovation ranking
This content was published on
Switzerland is the leading nation for innovation for the seventh year in a row, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
The image of foreigners in Switzerland has deteriorated
This content was published on
The Federal Statistical Office has found that Swiss people’s views of foreigners have worsened over the last couple of years.
After mild winter, nature wakes up earlier in Switzerland
This content was published on
Once again this year, nature has woken up earlier than normal, between a week and ten days ahead of schedule due to a mild winter.
Computer failure disrupts air traffic at Geneva airport
This content was published on
A computer breakdown has disrupted operations at Geneva Airport since midday on Tuesday. Significant delays are expected.
Swiss show high willingness to pay for sustainable flats
This content was published on
Tenants in Switzerland are in favour of sustainable flats. However, the willingness to pay differs by income according to a new study.
Swiss customs intercepted over 200 tonnes of smuggled meat in 2024
This content was published on
The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security intercepted around 208 tonnes of smuggled meat at border crossings in 2024.
Switzerland faces infrastructure gaps for CO2 capture
This content was published on
Switzerland must actively remove CO2 from the air in order to become climate-neutral by 2050. However, the infrastructure for this isn't sufficient.
Swiss parliament prohibits sale of Swiss space company Beyond Gravity
This content was published on
The Swiss parliament has said that the Swiss government should not sell the Swiss space company Beyond Gravity, which is part of RUAG.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
The pharma holy grail: drugs for you, designed by you
This content was published on
In the age of sensors, wearables, and artificial intelligence (AI), almost everything can be customised for the individual.
Switzerland ranked highly for international patents in 2017
This content was published on
Switzerland was the eighth biggest source of international patent applications last year, says the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.