European patents for medical technology from the UK increased by 7.1% in 2017, overtaking transport as the UK’s major technology field.

The figure comes from the European Patent Office’s (EPO) annual report, which highlights the number of patents filed across Europe in 2017.

The report shows that in 2017, there were 364 medical technology patent applications made to the EPO by the UK.

Medical technology was the field in which the largest number of patent applications were made at the EPO in 2017, followed by digital communication and computer technology.

Overall, sectors within life sciences saw global growth last year, with biotechnology and pharmaceuticals increasing by 14.5% and 8.1% respectively.

Simon Portman, a partner at Marks & Clerk,  an intellectual property firm, commented on the report and its findings, saying:

“We have seen a significant increase in European patents filings in the medtech sector over the course of the last year. The fact that the medtech sector has overtaken transport as the UK’s main technology field is a clear sign of continued investment not only in research and development, but also in the commercialisation of that research. As the sector grows, we will likely see further growth in the numbers of associated patent filings.

“Innovative medtech is key to solving many of the world pressing health challenges, from helping people with Type 1 Diabetes manage their condition, to reducing the oversubscription of antibiotics globally. By filing with the EPO, UK based medtech innovators are protecting their IP both at home, and in key overseas markets, ensuring British innovation is successful globally.”