In 2023, Greece submitted only 157 patent applications to the European Patent Office (EPO), placing the country in 36th position among the 50 countries with the most applications. This number represents a 15.6% decrease compared to 2022. The United States and Germany hold the top two spots with 48,155 and approximately 25,000 applications, respectively. Greece's record of 15 applications per million inhabitants is significantly lower than the European average of 150 per million. The largest depositor in 2023 was the Greek subsidiary of the French company Bic Violex. Greece's number of applications lags behind the European average by 90% and is even lower than Portugal, which filed 329 applications in 2023, surpassing Greece by 110%. In 2004, Greece filed over twice as many applications as Portugal. [2a98fc51]
Ireland's success in the pharmaceutical industry can be attributed to its consistent long-term policy and investment in the sector. The country has become the largest net exporter of pharmaceuticals in the EU, accounting for over 50% of all exports. The biologics manufacturing sector has also experienced significant growth, with more than 23 biologics plants investing in Ireland since 2005. This has contributed to the employment of approximately 50,000 people in the sector. [119664cc]
The growing importance of intellectual property (IP) in Ireland's economy is evident from the record high number of patent applications in the country. Companies recognize the value of patents and IP in determining the worth of a company and its competitiveness in the market. While Ireland is a significant exporter of IP, its participation in the EU's United Patent Court (UPC) is still pending. The UPC offers benefits such as a single system for handling patent infringements and reduced costs. However, the Irish government's plan to ratify Ireland's entry into the UPC through a referendum has been delayed. Some Irish-based multinationals have already taken their patent disputes to the German UPC for resolution. [d95868d7]
Nicaragua has recently become the first Spanish-speaking country to formally recognize the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) or Indian Pharma standards. This recognition is the result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Pharmacopoeia Cooperation between India and Nicaragua. The MoU signifies a commitment to cooperation in regulating medicines and aligning pharmaceutical standards internationally. The Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) serves as the authoritative compendium of standards for pharmaceuticals, with the latest edition issued in 2022. It includes more than 3,000 monographs that outline precise parameters and testing methodologies for raw materials and finished pharmaceutical products. [b48ad3cb]