The pharmaceutical industry saw a decrease in patent activity in Q3 2022 related to 3D printing.

The number of 3D printing patent applications filed in the global pharmaceutical industry declined 0.3% in Q3 2022 over the same period last year. The total number of 3D printing-related grants dropped by 7% in Q3 2022, according to GlobalData’s Patent Analytics.

Notably, 336 3D-printing-related patent applications were filed in the pharmaceutical sector in Q3 2022 compared to 337 in prior quarter.

15% of all patenting activity was attributed to the top five companies

Arkema has filed the most patents related to 3D printing in the pharmaceutical industry operations sector and technologies sector during Q3 2022, according to an analysis of patenting activity. This quarter, Arkema filed 23 3D printing patents, compared to 18 the previous quarter. It was followed by Johnson & Johnson with 10 3D printing patent filings, Jabil (7 filings), and 3D Systems (6 filings) in Q3 2022.

The US was the main driver of patenting activity with 26% of total patent filings

With 26% of 3D printing patent filings, the US was the largest market for 3D printing patents in the pharmaceutical sector in Q3 2022. China (20%) and South Korea (10%) were close behind. The US accounted for 1% less than the 27% it held in Q2 2022.