The Max Planck Society has been identified as a significant contributor to innovation in Europe, ranking among the top ten research institutions for patent applications, according to a recent study by the European Patent Office (EPO). The study highlights the crucial role played by public research organizations in fostering innovation across the continent.
Conducted in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI), the report titled “The Role of European Public Research in Patenting and Innovation” analyzed patent filings from the 39 member states of the European Patent Organization. It reveals that leading public research institutions in countries such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain contributed to nearly 63,000 patent applications between 2001 and 2020, which accounts for approximately five percent of all applications submitted by European entities.
Germany stands out with its contributions, with 18,276 patent applications originating from public research institutions, including the Fraunhofer Society and the Max Planck Society, representing nearly 30 percent of all public research patents in Europe. The number of patent applications from Germany has seen a significant increase, rising from 691 in 2001 to over 1,000 in 2020. This growth has also elevated the share of research institution filings within all German patent applications from 3.2 percent to 4.6 percent.
Within Germany, the Fraunhofer Society leads with 7,852 patents, ranking third in Europe. The Max Planck Society follows with 2,195 patents, placing seventh in Europe, while the German Aerospace Center (DLR) ranks tenth with 1,046 patents. Together, these institutions underscore Germany”s strength in key research areas such as biotechnology, energy, semiconductors, and aerospace.
Among the most notable patents from the Max Planck Society are the Tuschl patents related to RNA interference, which enable the silencing of disease-causing genes and serve as the foundation for a new class of medications. Christoph Hüls, Managing Director of Max Planck Innovation, noted the impact of these patents on medical innovation. Another significant achievement is the cancer drug Sutent®, developed by Axel Ullrich and licensed to Roche Pharma, which has generated substantial licensing revenues for the society.
The study from the EPO also emphasizes the economic impact of research-based startups. Over 2,800 European startups have filed patents with the EPO, with inventors affiliated with European universities, public research institutions, or hospitals. Germany ranks third in Europe with 398 startups holding patents, 367 of which are connected to German research institutions. One highlighted example is PreOmics, a deep-tech startup from Martinsried that originated from a research group at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry. The founders are developing innovative proteomics solutions utilized globally in biomedical research.
Dietmar Harhoff, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition and former chair of the German Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation (EFI), stated that the Max Planck Society not only maintains an effective intellectual property organization with strong results in patenting and licensing but has also actively supported entrepreneurs and startups for several years. This commitment is reflected in the latest rise in spin-off figures.
