In Q3 2022, 3D printing was less popular in the pharmaceutical sector.

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 application in the pharmaceutical industry in Q3 2022 was higher than 337 in previous quarter.

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

Arkema was the company that filed the most 3D printing patents in the sector of pharmaceutical operations and technologies in Q3 2022. The quarter saw Arkema file 23 3D printing-related patents, up from 18 in the prior 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 accounted for 26% of all patent filings.

With 26%, the US was the largest source of 3D printing patent filings in the pharmaceutical sector in Q3 2022. China (20%) and South Korea (10%) were close behind. The US represented 1% less of the 27% that it had in Q2 2022.