Global Innovation Dynamics in Regenerative Medicine: A Patent-Based Assessment
Journal of Medical Library and Information Science,
Vol. 7 No. 7 (2026),
6 May 2026
https://doi.org/10.22037/jmlis.v7i7.52281
Abstract
Introduction: Regenerative medicine (RM) is one of the fastest-growing fields of biomedical innovation. Patent analysis provides valuable insights into technological development and global innovation trends. This study aimed to analyze worldwide patent activity in RM between 2005 and 2025.
Methods: This applied study employed a descriptive-analytical patentometric approach. Patent data were retrieved from the Orbit Intelligence database using a structured search strategy that applied the term “RM” to the title, abstract, and claims fields. Granted and expired patent families published between 2005 and 2025 were included, resulting in 10,475 records. The data were retrieved on 25 October 2025, and data cleaning and analysis were performed using Python. Temporal trends, leading countries, major assignees, and technological domains were analyzed.
Results: The temporal distribution of patents showed a gradual increase from 2005 to 2012, followed by a pronounced acceleration from 2015 to 2020, during which nearly half of all identified patents were issued. Patent activity peaked in 2018–2019 before experiencing a moderate decline. China (41.41%) and the United States (31.95%) together accounted for nearly three-quarters of all RM patents, highlighting their leading roles in shaping global innovation. South Korea ranked third (8.5%), while Germany, Russia, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, and Canada constituted a secondary group of contributors. Analysis of technological domains indicated that pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical technology represented the most active areas within the RM patent landscape.
Conclusion: The findings demonstrate the rapid expansion and consolidation of RM technologies and highlight the value of patent-based intelligence for informing research priorities, investment strategies, technology management, and future innovation in this evolving field.
- Regenerative medicine
- Patent landscape
- Biotechnology
- Technology maturity
- Innovation trends
- Commercialization potential
How to Cite
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