As a first port of call for anyone interested in the future of innovation, the Observatory quantifies and explores trends and challenges throughout the innovation ecosystem. It also provides industry, innovators, investors, policymakers, researchers and IP professionals with reputable evidence for informed decision-making. Our workplan focuses on three streams: technology intelligence; legal and innovation policies; plus diversity and transformation.

The Observatory’s activities focus on several topics and key technologies, including those linked to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, with a special focus on mitigating climate change and fighting cancer. Other projects investigate the significance of patents for start-ups, SMEs and universities and explore the challenges of financing innovations so as to bring them to the market. The Observatory’s work will be enriched with the knowledge and expertise of a broad community of experts and partners.

Our digital library will soon provide a gateway to the growing wealth of critical analysis on technology and innovation. It will provide access to all EPO published studies – some jointly with expert partners – on technologies, economics, patent data and IP law, as well as other publications published by our expert and stakeholders networks.

The EPO is a data-driven organisation. Millions of patent applications are published each year, revealing emerging technologies. Our dashboards, searchable platforms and data visualisation tools help users to monitor trends, draw conclusions and understand their impact.