U.S. ranks first in European patent applications, followed by Germany, Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea

In a year marked by geopolitical tension and economic headwinds, American ingenuity continues to lead the charge in global innovation. Despite a slight dip in overall patent filings, the U.S. once again led the world in European patent applications in 2024—fueling innovation across AI, biotech, and medical tech.

According to the European Patent Office’s (EPO) just-released Patent Index 2024, the United States once again claimed the top spot for the most patent applications filed in Europe. U.S. inventors and companies filed 47,787 patent applications last year, making up a staggering 24% of all filings—nearly one in four patents submitted to the EPO came from the U.S.

That’s more than any other country, including innovation-heavyweights like Germany, Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea.

Inside the Numbers: Where the U.S. Leads—and Where It’s Slipping

While the total number of patent filings remained steady year-over-year at nearly 200,000, the U.S. saw a modest -0.8% dip from 2023 levels. Still, the numbers tell a bigger story: U.S. inventors are doubling down on high-growth sectors like AI, biotech, and medical tech.

Top 5 U.S. technology fields at the EPO in 2024:

1. Medical Technology – 5,995 applications

2. Computer Technology – 5,776 applications (+11.4% YoY)

3. Digital Communication – 4,628 applications (-4.8%)

4. Pharmaceuticals – 3,090 applications (-16.9%)

5. Biotechnology – 3,055 applications (+11.1%)

The most striking growth came from AI-related subfields such as machine learning and pattern recognition, where patent filings from the U.S. jumped by 20%. It’s a clear signal that U.S. tech companies aren’t just reacting to the AI wave—they’re building it.

U.S. Tops Global Patent Rankings at European Patent Office — Qualcomm, Alphabet, Microsoft Lead Innovation Surge in AI, MedTech, and Biotech

Big Tech, Bigger Patents: Qualcomm, Microsoft, Alphabet Take the Lead

U.S. companies continue to dominate the top rankings at the EPO, with six American firms landing in the global Top 20 for patent filings. Leading the charge is Qualcomm, clocking in at #4 overall with 3,015 applications, primarily in digital communication and AI.

Other standout performers:

• RTX (formerly Raytheon) – 2,061 applications, #1 in transport innovation

• Alphabet (Google) – 1,171 applications, #1 in AI subfields

• Microsoft – 1,131 applications, #5 in AI

• Apple – 806 applications

• InterDigital – 863 applications

Together, these companies are filing thousands of patents spanning semiconductors, AI, medical devices, wireless tech, and more—positioning the U.S. as the global engine of deep tech innovation.

California Is a Patent Powerhouse—Outpacing Entire Countries

When it comes to geography, California is the epicenter of U.S. innovation, contributing 15,730 patent applications—more than entire countries like France or South Korea. That’s over one-third of all U.S. filings at the EPO.

Other top innovation hubs:

• Massachusetts – 3,643 applications

• New York – 2,422

• Texas – 2,302

• Washington – 1,897

These five states alone drive the majority of America’s European patent activity, fueled by robust ecosystems in AI, biotech, pharmaceuticals, clean energy, and aerospace.

Breaking Barriers: Women Inventors Gain Ground

In a notable trend, 37% of all U.S. applications named at least one woman inventor—far above the European average of 25%. While still not equal, this uptick represents encouraging progress toward gender equity in STEM innovation.

Rise of the Unitary Patent: U.S. Companies Embrace Simpler IP Protection

The recently introduced Unitary Patent system—launched in 2023 to simplify intellectual property rights across 18 EU countries—has seen growing adoption among U.S. companies.

• In 2024, 16% of U.S.-origin patents were converted into Unitary Patents (up from 10.9% in 2023)

• Top U.S. adopters included Johnson & Johnson, Qualcomm, and Alphabet

This move suggests American companies see Europe not just as a market for expansion, but as a critical region for protecting and commercializing intellectual property.

Samsung Regains Global Crown, but U.S. Holds Its Ground

Globally, Samsung reclaimed its spot as the #1 filer of European patent applications, followed by Huawei, LG, Qualcomm, and RTX. But with two U.S. companies in the top five and several more in the top twenty, the U.S. continues to be a dominant force in shaping the future of tech.

Why It Matters for Startups

For startups and scale-ups, this data is more than just stats—it’s a map of where innovation is headed. AI, biotech, and clean energy aren’t just buzzwords; they’re sectors seeing real investment and protected innovation at the highest levels.

If you’re building in these spaces, take note: Big Tech is investing heavily, and regulators in Europe are watching closely. Patents aren’t just for giants—they’re your moat, your value, and sometimes your biggest asset in an acquisition.