Portugal’s standing as a hub of technological innovation owes much to the work of its leading research institutions, with the Instituto de Telecomunicações (IT) and INESC ID at the forefront.

According to the latest report from the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Patent and Technology Observatory, developed in cooperation with Fraunhofer ISI, Portuguese public research organizations (PROs) filed 265 patent applications with the EPO between 2001 and 2020, ranking the country 16th among European nations.

“The ranking is based on the number of European patent applications filed for academic patents, including both direct applications filed by the PROs, and indirect applications filed by other applicants with a PRO-affiliated researcher listed among the inventors.” (pp. 92-93 of the Report)

The study highlights a growing trend of PROs taking direct ownership of intellectual property, with the share of patents filed directly by these institutions rising from 59.3% in 2001-2010 to 86.9% in 2011-2020.

“Public research is one of Europe’s greatest strengths. This study highlights the vital role of our public research organizations and hospitals, whose inventions strengthen Europe’s competitiveness,” said António Campinos, President of the EPO. “However, to unlock their full potential, we must intensify collaboration and accelerate the transfer of research into technologies that can be applied in the real world.”

At the national level, IT has played a central role in this shift, driving applied research, technology transfer, and innovation that benefit both industry and society. So far, IT has filed 193 patent applications, 90 of them filed in foreign countries (29, mainly US) and under multi-territory agreements (41 PCTs and 18 European Patent applications.

Until this moment, IT has 57 granted patents (36 in Portugal, 13 in foreign countries, and 8 European) and 29 pending patent applications (16 in Portugal, 6 in foreign countries, 4 European, and 3 PCTs).

Following the growing trend of other European PROs, IT already has 4 unitary effect patents. Created in 2024, the unitary effect converts the granted European patent into a single patent that provides uniform protection across 18 participating EU member states, eliminating redundant validation procedures and costs in each country.

Beyond patents, IT fosters startups, collaborates with universities, and partners with research hospitals, fueling a vibrant ecosystem of scientific and technological advancement. By translating cutting-edge research into practical applications, the institution exemplifies Portugal’s commitment to innovation and economic growth.

These figures reflect IT’s sustained and growing contribution to the national, International, and European innovation landscape, reinforcing its status as a key factor in Portugal’s technology transfer, I&D institution, and intellectual property ecosystem.

For your interest, please visit our technology transfer page here.

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