European startups at the forefront of the fight against cancer - Deep insight into recent innovation dynamics.

On the eve of World Cancer Day, our new study shows wide variations between leading countries in the profiles of startups for new diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. 
The latest study published today by the European Patent Office (EPO) shows in greater detail than ever before the different development rates for new technologies to detect and defeat cancer. “New frontiers in oncology: an evolving innovation ecosystem” focuses on the most promising technologies and the variations across regions, actors and sectors, helping policymakers, scientists, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders to target their policies, research and investments.

European startups stronger in early growth phases
According to the study, almost 1 500 startups are based in the EPO’s 39 member states, compared to just 1 325 in the US. Within Europe, the UK has 290 startups, France 246 and Germany 208. While Europe has more startups in the seed and early growth phases, many more US startups scale up to the late growth stage. Nearly 40% of US cancer-related startups have reached this advanced stage, compared to just 24% in the EU and less than 27% in other EPO member states. US oncology startups hold nearly twice as many patents as their European counterparts, and this could be one factor in the disparity in funding, given the proven links between patent ownership and access to finance. The study also includes four case studies showing how startups founded by Europeans have leveraged their patent applications and granted patents to raise investment, license their inventions and secure market share.