Good news in R&D: 20% rise in Israeli patents last year

“The welcome increase reflects the potential of Israeli society and daily activities of research and development employees,” says Science, Technology and Space Minister MK Danny Danon.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Computer keyboard [illustrative]. (photo credit: ING IMAGE/ASAP)
Computer keyboard [illustrative].
(photo credit: ING IMAGE/ASAP)
Universities and research institutes reported 856 inventions at companies for the commercialization of knowhow in 2014, the National Council for Research and Development in the Science, Technology and Space Ministry announced Sunday, a 20 percent increase over 2013’s figures.
Some 66% came from universities’ technology-transfer companies (a 15% advance), while colleges reported a doubling of their patents. In addition, 42 start-up companies were established last year for commercialization of know-how.
“The welcome increase reflects the potential of Israeli society and daily activities of research and development employees,” Science, Technology and Space Minister Danny Danon said. “At a time when calls to boycott increase, this country continues to set a high standard in the international arena while investing many resources into developing inventions. The ministry will continue to promote programs to bridge the gaps between basic research and industry so as to promote state investment in applied research and bring about developments in new fields that are critical to industry.”
There were 493 requests for registration of patents in 2014, according to the National Council, a 9% increase from 2013, including 3% at universities, 12% at hospitals and 109% at colleges and research institutes. Three-quarters of the applications were made by universities.
A total of 159 contracts for licensing were signed last year, including 72% with local companies. During the years that companies that commercialize know-how have been operating, 3,241 patents were granted and their products put on the market or were due to be marketed.
The survey found that Israel ranks very high in income for patent know-how as a percentage of all R&D expenditures in the higher-education sector compared with other developed countries, including the US, Britain and Australia.
Income to R&D companies from the sale of Israeli know-how and royalties totaled NIS 1.7 billion in 2013 (the latest figures available), a decline of 7% from 2012, when 98% of the income came from universities.
The survey included the R&D companies of eight research universities, five colleges and research institutes and six medical centers, the task of which is to raise funds, market and develop the accumulated know-how of the institution, protect inventions via patent registration and turn the invention into a commercial product.