Life science patents granted, by technology in Canada
Canada: Life science patents granted, by technology was 2,144 patents in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Life science patents granted, by technology in Canada, 1980–2023
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in patents.
Analysis
Canada recorded 2,144 patents for life science patents granted, by technology in 2023. That is the highest value across all 44 years on record.
The figure is up 55.2% on the previous year and up 5.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life science patents granted, by technology in Canada peaked at 2,144 patents in 2023 and was at its lowest, 248 patents, in 1996.
Canada ranks 5th of 64 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 508.6 patents | 411 patents | 577 patents | 10 |
| 1990s | 443.3 patents | 248 patents | 652 patents | 10 |
| 2000s | 874.8 patents | 557 patents | 1,525 patents | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,777 patents | 1,559 patents | 2,031 patents | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,736 patents | 1,381 patents | 2,144 patents | 4 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More science & technology data for Canada
- Scientific and technical journal articles 63,720 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 37.40 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 94.11 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 94.11 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 32,445 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 94.4% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 4,710 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 1.8% (2024)
- Number of people using the Internet 36.12 million users (2021)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 42.52 per 100 people (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life science patents granted, by technology in Canada?
- Life science patents granted, by technology in Canada was 2,144 patents in 2023, according to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest life science patents granted, by technology recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 2,144 patents in 2023.
- What is the lowest life science patents granted, by technology recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 248 patents in 1996.
- How does Canada rank for life science patents granted, by technology?
- Canada ranks 5th out of 64 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life science patents granted, by technology rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Canada data come from?
- The figures come from World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Life science patents granted, by technology. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 44 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Number of pharmaceutical patents granted by the filing office in a given year. Pharmaceutical patents typically cover new drugs, biological treatments or vaccines.