Southern California is a leading region in
patent activity with San Diego, Los Angeles,
and Orange County ranked in the top 10
counties nationwide. Leading patent counts
throughout the nation based on class is the life
sciences industry with 65,469 total patenting
from 2000 to 2015 coming from drug/bio-
medical compositions. Life sciences has been
leading the way since the recession and
accounts for much of the spike in patent grants
following 2008 in the United States. The top 3
classes in LA-OC during the 15 years are
drug/bio-medical compositions (2,689),
telecommunications (2,240), and surgery
(2,074). The top 3 classes in San Diego are
multiplex communications (3,985),
telecommunications (3,732), and drug/bio-
medical compositions (3,528). As Southern
California is home to heavy players in the tech
and life sciences industries, we can expect this
momentum to continue.
15-year patent activity in Southern California
Patent grants, 2000 - 2015
Los Angeles
Orange County
San Diego
14,000
-
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
5,400
12,000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Source: JLL Research, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office