Life science patents granted, by filing office in United States
United States: Life science patents granted, by filing office was 31,977 patents in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Life science patents granted, by filing office in United States, 1980–2023
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in patents.
Analysis
United States recorded 31,977 patents for life science patents granted, by filing office in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 4.7% on the previous year and up 16.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life science patents granted, by filing office in United States peaked at 36,038 patents in 2020 and was at its lowest, 3,123 patents, in 1983.
That places United States 2nd out of 70 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Life science patents granted, by filing office in United States, year by year
| Year | patents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 3,424 patents | — |
| 1981 | 3,646 patents | +6.5% |
| 1982 | 3,297 patents | -9.6% |
| 1983 | 3,123 patents | -5.3% |
| 1984 | 3,881 patents | +24.3% |
| 1985 | 4,111 patents | +5.9% |
| 1986 | 4,599 patents | +11.9% |
| 1987 | 5,663 patents | +23.1% |
| 1988 | 5,345 patents | -5.6% |
| 1989 | 7,114 patents | +33.1% |
| 1990 | 6,981 patents | -1.9% |
| 1991 | 7,605 patents | +8.9% |
| 1992 | 8,040 patents | +5.7% |
| 1993 | 8,415 patents | +4.7% |
| 1994 | 8,976 patents | +6.7% |
| 1995 | 9,268 patents | +3.3% |
| 1996 | 10,592 patents | +14.3% |
| 1997 | 12,583 patents | +18.8% |
| 1998 | 16,502 patents | +31.1% |
| 1999 | 16,598 patents | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 15,905 patents | -4.2% |
| 2001 | 16,939 patents | +6.5% |
| 2002 | 16,635 patents | -1.8% |
| 2003 | 17,016 patents | +2.3% |
| 2004 | 13,800 patents | -18.9% |
| 2005 | 11,781 patents | -14.6% |
| 2006 | 14,005 patents | +18.9% |
| 2007 | 12,862 patents | -8.2% |
| 2008 | 11,932 patents | -7.2% |
| 2009 | 13,077 patents | +9.6% |
| 2010 | 19,351 patents | +48.0% |
| 2011 | 20,518 patents | +6.0% |
| 2012 | 23,879 patents | +16.4% |
| 2013 | 27,362 patents | +14.6% |
| 2014 | 29,314 patents | +7.1% |
| 2015 | 28,606 patents | -2.4% |
| 2016 | 29,288 patents | +2.4% |
| 2017 | 31,513 patents | +7.6% |
| 2018 | 30,620 patents | -2.8% |
| 2019 | 35,810 patents | +16.9% |
| 2020 | 36,038 patents | +0.6% |
| 2021 | 34,484 patents | -4.3% |
| 2022 | 33,541 patents | -2.7% |
| 2023 | 31,977 patents | -4.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 4,420 patents | 3,123 patents | 7,114 patents | 10 |
| 1990s | 10,556 patents | 6,981 patents | 16,598 patents | 10 |
| 2000s | 14,395 patents | 11,781 patents | 17,016 patents | 10 |
| 2010s | 27,626 patents | 19,351 patents | 35,810 patents | 10 |
| 2020s | 34,010 patents | 31,977 patents | 36,038 patents | 4 |
Countries ranked near United States
More science & technology data for United States
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- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 113.19 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.15 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
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- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 0.693 % change on previous year (2024)
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- Scientific and technical journal articles 430,843 (2023)
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Frequently asked questions
- What is life science patents granted, by filing office in United States?
- Life science patents granted, by filing office in United States was 31,977 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 filing office recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 36,038 patents in 2020.
- What is the lowest life science patents granted, by filing office recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,123 patents in 1983.
- How does United States rank for life science patents granted, by filing office?
- United States ranks 2nd out of 70 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life science patents granted, by filing office rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 16.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States 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 filing office. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Patents granted within the fields of medical technology, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals by filing office. These patents cover a wide range of innovations, such as medical devices, diagnostic methods, genetic engineering techniques, biotechnological processes and new drugs.