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Report: Danish life science among world leaders in innovation
Christian Wenande
March 5th, 2021
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This article is more than 3 years old.
However, Denmark’s position of strength is largely down to big companies and it is under pressure from the likes of China and the US
Too few accounting for too much (photo: Danish Patent and Trademark Office)
A new report from the Danish Patent and Trademark Office has underscored Denmark’s leading position within life science.
Among the countries analysed, Denmark is second behind Switzerland when it comes to patent activity per capita since 2010.
However, over the same period, China and the US have increased their patent activity at a much higher rate and are closing in.
One of the main problems is that Denmark’s tech development relies too heavily on a few big companies.
“Denmark has a strong position within life science, but it is important now to rest on your laurels,” said Sune Stampe Sørensen, the head of the Danish Patent and Trademark Office.
“We need to be aware that our position is largely thanks to few companies and that the international competition is intensifying.”
READ ALSO: Denmark among top countries in the world for patent applications
Novo players needed
In Denmark, the ten biggest patent applicants (see list below) account for almost 50 percent of all patent applications within life science.
Novozymes and Novo Nordisk account for 25 percent of all Danish life science patent applications.
“For continued support for Danish innovation, it is essential that companies have solid and predictable framework conditions to use patenting to protect commercialisation and technology. A strong patent system ensures an incentive to invest in research and development,” said Sørensen.
Read the entire report here (in Danish) – it defines life science companies as those which operate within the realm of pharma, medicinals, biotechnology and food chemistry.
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