The European Patent Office (EPO) has released a comprehensive study analyzing over 800 technology transfer offices (TTOs) across Europe. This report aims to serve as a reference framework for understanding the role of TTOs in helping universities and research institutions protect their inventions and collaborate with businesses and investors.
The EPO emphasized that Europe’s ability to turn research excellence into applied technology is crucial for its global competitiveness. “Europe is a global powerhouse in research, and its ability to transform this excellence into applied technologies and businesses is of growing importance to its competitiveness,” the organization stated.
Key findings from the EPO study include:
- Universities hold approximately 9% of European patents, a number that is comparable to the United States.
- The number of European patent applications involving universities, public research organizations, or research hospitals has more than doubled over the past two decades, increasing from about 3,200 in 2006 to nearly 8,000 anticipated by 2025.
- In 2025, public research institutions are projected to account for around 34% of European patent applications in biotechnology, 29% in quantum technologies, and 26% in pharmaceuticals.
As part of the study’s rollout, the EPO also introduced a new tool called the Data Desk. This dashboard allows users to analyze patenting activity by country, institution, and technology. The French National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) highlighted that three French research organizations rank among the top four patent filers in Europe based on this data.
- The National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) leads as Europe’s top public research organization with 729 patent applications. It remains a strong player in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and measurement technologies, reaffirming its leadership in technology transfer.
- The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) ranks third in Europe with 528 applications, making significant contributions to semiconductors and low-carbon energy sectors.
- The National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) occupies the fourth position with 432 applications, focusing on life sciences.
Additionally, Université Paris Cité and Sorbonne Université rank 9th and 11th, respectively, demonstrating a strong culture of interdisciplinary innovation in French universities.
France has also established itself as a leader in the number of companies arising from research activities. The EPO’s Deep Tech Finder tool shows that France ranks second in Europe for the number of spin-offs or startups originating from research, identifying 633 spin-offs, second only to the United Kingdom.
The report highlights the role of Technology Transfer Acceleration Companies (SATTs) in France, which facilitate the transition from laboratory inventions to market-ready startups. To date, SATTs have successfully helped create nearly 1,000 startups.
