Alphabet, Apple and Microsoft filed 300+ healthcare patents since 2013
Technology companies Alphabet, Apple and Microsoft filed applications for 313 US healthcare patents between 2013 and 2017, according to a report issued by professional services firm Ernst & Young (EY).
With 186 patent applications, Alphabet’s healthcare initiatives include joint ventures with Onduo (a partnership between Sanofi and Verily Life Sciences) in diabetes, Galvani (founded by Verily and GSK) in bioelectronics, and Verb Surgical (founded by Verily and Johnson & Johnson) in smart operating rooms.
Verily is Alphabet's research organisation devoted to the study of life sciences.
Microsoft’s 73 patent applications focus on expanding the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and developing monitoring devices for chronic conditions.
Apple has filed 54 patents—some relate to technology to turn its phones into medical devices that capture biometric data including blood pressure and body fat levels. The company has also partnered with Stanford University to develop algorithms to predict abnormal heart rhythms.
The EY report, “ When the human body is the biggest data platform, who will capture value?, also noted that Amazon had signalled a growing interest in health delivery, although as most of its patents aren’t healthcare-specific they weren’t captured by EY’s analysis.
In January 2018, Amazon announced its collaboration with Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase to create a not-for-profit healthcare company for the three organisations’ US employees.
Amazon is also reportedly exploring potential opportunities in drug distribution through a secret health tech project referred to as 1492.
EY said that many life sciences companies view developments by digital health startups and technology incumbents as an “existential threat”.
In the October 2017 edition of the EY Global Capital Confidence Barometer, respondents pegged increased competition from companies outside the industry as the top danger to their continued success.
The report went on to say that some medtech and biopharma companies have responded with digital partnerships and exploratory programmes of their own, including taking steps to use AI and other digital tools.
“These efforts are important, but don’t go far enough to eradicate the risks,” said EY. “Current programmes generally focus on developing wrap-around services for key products but don’t necessarily position new connective technologies at the heart of their strategic business goal.”
The report was issued on Tuesday, March 13.
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