Key Takeaways

• Royal Philips led the European Patent Office with 594 medical technology patent applications in 2024.
• The company’s innovations improved the health of nearly 2 billion people, aiming for 2.5 billion by 2030.
• Philips invested EUR 1.7 billion in R&D, focusing on AI and informatics to enhance patient care.

Philips’ Commitment to Health Technology Innovation

Royal Philips, a leader in health technology, announced it was the top applicant for medical technology patents at the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2024, filing a total of 594 applications. This accomplishment highlights Philips’ commitment to revolutionizing healthcare through the integration of informatics and artificial intelligence to improve workflows, enhance care quality, and reduce costs.

With a rich 134-year history in innovation, Philips improved the health and well-being of nearly 2 billion people in 2024, a significant step toward its goal of positively impacting 2.5 billion lives by 2030. CEO Roy Jakobs emphasized the company’s focus on innovative solutions that support healthcare professionals in delivering better care both in hospitals and at home.

Philips’ research and development strategy places a strong emphasis on informatics and AI, with nearly half of its R&D investments directed toward these technologies. Notable 2024 advancements included the Azurion image-guided therapy system, designed to enhance minimally invasive treatments for neurovascular patients; FDA-cleared AI tools for cardiovascular ultrasound; and the Philips Spectral CT 7500 RT, which aids in personalized radiation therapy planning. Additionally, the LumiGuide Navigation Wire received FDA approval, reducing radiation exposure during minimally invasive surgery.

Overall, Philips contributed 1,231 patent applications in various fields, marking it as the leading Dutch company in this category since the EPO began ranking applicants in 2004. The firm also secured its spot in the Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovators for 2025, representing its 12th consecutive year in this global assessment of innovation leadership.

In 2024, Philips devoted approximately EUR 1.7 billion to research and development, surpassing 9% of its sales—a figure well above the industry average. The company’s extensive intellectual property portfolio comprises around 50,500 patents, 30,500 trademarks, and 150,000 design rights, alongside 3,200 domain names.

Philips continues to focus on delivering impactful health solutions for both consumers and healthcare providers, indicating its commitment to improving global health outcomes through meaningful innovation.

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