Patent Trends in Medical Devices for NCDs

Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) are a significant health concern for all countries, including Thailand, where the death rate from these diseases is on the rise. This trend is largely due to modern lifestyles such as poor eating habits, insufficient exercise, inadequate work-life balance, deficient rest and increased exposure to pollution. Types of non-communicable diseases include cancer, diabetes, hypertension, chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, kidney diseases, and obesity.
 
In line with the rise of patients suffering from NCDs, from 2013 to 2022, the number of patent applications for medical devices related to NCDs worldwide showed a significant increase.  In Thailand, they totaled 351 applications (27 of which are registered) and are classified by disease as follows:

Medical devices patents filed in Thailand from 2013 to 2022, by type of NCD

When classified based on the International Patent Classification (IPC), the most filed patent applications for medical devices related to NCDs in Thailand are diagnosis/surgery (IPC no. A61B), followed by devices for introducing media into the body (IPC no. A61M), implantable medical devices/prostheses or accessories (IPC no. A61F), sterilization (IPC no. A61L), and electrotherapy (IPC no. A61N).

Medical devices patents filed in Thailand from 2013 to 2022, by IPC category

When categorized by the nationality of applicants for medical device patents related to NCDs in Thailand, Thai applicants accounted for the largest share of NCDs-related patent applications at 38%, with 134 applications, followed by Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea, China, Cyprus, Australia, Italy, and Taiwan.

Medical devices patents filed in Thailand from 2013 to 2022, by applicant’s country

The number of patent applications for relevant medical devices has increased due to the ongoing rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In Thailand, most filings focus on diagnostics, implantable devices, and sterilization. Patents will continue to play a crucial role in advancing global healthcare solutions for NCDs as medical device technologies evolve.

References:
(1) Department of Intellectual Property, Mahidol University, Siam Cement Group & SCG Chemicals. (2024). Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) medical device.