Royal Philips has established itself as the top filer of medical technology patents at the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2024, according to an announcement made on March 25, 2025. The company filed 594 Medtech patent applications, showcasing its commitment to innovation in the healthcare field. This news demonstrates Philips’ ongoing efforts to transform healthcare delivery, enhancing patient care through the integration of informatics and AI-powered solutions, while also working to lower costs per patient.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands. – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, announced that it led all companies in medical technology patent filings at the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2024.
Philips has a rich history of innovation, spanning 134 years, and its global research and development programs have improved the health and well-being of nearly 2 billion people in 2024. The company is on track to achieve its goal of improving 2.5 billion lives by 2030.
Roy Jakobs, CEO of Royal Philips, highlighted the company’s commitment: “For more than 130 years, Philips has been at the forefront of innovations improving people’s lives. The 2024 European patent rankings show how we continue to innovate in the hospital and the home – helping to deliver better care for more people. To continue driving greater impact, we have shifted our innovation closer to customers. We want to help healthcare professionals improve patient care and empower people everywhere to take care of their health and well-being.”
Approximately half of Philips’ R&D investments are directed towards informatics and AI technologies as they become increasingly crucial in healthcare, both in hospitals and at home. Several of the AI-powered innovations launched in 2024 include:
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The new Azurion image-guided therapy system, which leverages advanced informatics to improve minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment of conditions like stroke and other neurovascular issues.
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FDA-cleared AI tools embedded in the EPIQ CVx and Affiniti CVx ultrasound systems. These tools are designed to advance cardiovascular imaging capabilities, improve automation, and enhance productivity. This solidifies Philips’ position as the global leader in cardiovascular ultrasound.
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The Philips Spectral CT 7500 RT, designed to personalize radiation therapy planning, leading to improved patient care.
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FDA approval for the LumiGuide Navigation Wire, a device that employs fiber optic technology to reduce radiation exposure for both patients and physicians during minimally invasive surgery.
Philips’ dedication to innovation is further demonstrated by its position as the top applicant among Dutch companies, with a total of 1,231 European patent applications. This achievement further solidifies the company’s long-standing presence as a leading applicant since the EPO began publishing its rankings in 2004.
The company’s recent inclusion in the Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovators 2025 list, for the 12th consecutive year, further illustrates Philips’ leadership in the innovation sphere.
Philips invested approximately EUR 1.7 billion in research and development during 2024. This investment, representing over 9% of sales, exceeds the industry average. Philips’ extensive intellectual property portfolio includes a vast array of assets: 50,500 patent rights, 30,500 trademarks, 150,000 design rights, and 3,200 domain names.
