26 March 2025
NOVA University Lisbon in the spotlight in European patent registration in 2024
NOVA University Lisbon has secured the 4th place ex aequo among Portuguese applicants for European patents, according to the latest EPO Patent Index 2024, released this Tuesday, 25 March 2025, by the European Patent Office (EPO).
The release of the data highlights the strength of the research and innovation promoted at the institution which, through a strategy geared towards excellence and the valorisation of knowledge, has been consolidating its presence on the national and international intellectual property and technology transfer scene. This report, which covers the main Portuguese applicants, places NOVA among the institutions that contribute most to the creation and protection of knowledge, strengthening Portuguese competitiveness in the European context.
This recognition also serves as an incentive for continued investment in research projects, technology licensing processes and partnerships with industry, in a clear commitment by the University to valorising its intellectual assets over the last few years.
Among the five inventions patented by NOVA that appear in this study are developments in strategic areas such as biotechnology, health and engineering. Some of the technologies submitted include an innovative method for producing CO2-based biodegradable polymers (PHA) as an alternative to conventional plastics, or a cellulose-based antibacterial hydrogel for treating bacterial infections. Innovations in multilayer optical sensors for pesticide detection and advanced wireless communications systems were also registered. These inventions also reflect NOVA’s capacity for innovation in various areas of knowledge.
The publication of the data by the EPO not only places NOVA University Lisbon in the spotlight but also highlights the role of academic institutions in boosting innovative activity in Portugal. Since 2020, the number of patent applications from Portuguese entities at the EPO has grown by 38,2% and NOVA is proud to contribute to this evolution. In an increasingly competitive scenario, the joint effort between academia, industry and government organisations is essential for creating synergies that boost sustainable development and international competitiveness.
More information on the data and methodology used by the EPO can be found directly at https://www.epo.org/en/about-us/statistics/patent-index-2024.
To find out more about our proprietary technologies, see https://novainnovation.unl.pt/category/available-technologies/.