Introduction

Skin cancer is among the most common cancers in the world. It develops when skin cells grow abnormally, most often because of long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. The three main forms are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (together called non-melanoma skin cancers) and melanoma, which is less common but more dangerous because it can spread to other organs.

Early detection makes a big difference, and so does continued research into better medicines and therapies. One way to see where that research is heading is to study patents, because every new drug, formulation or treatment method that a company or university wants to protect is filed as a patent.

How the Study Was Done

In Phase 1, researchers first built a broad understanding of the skin cancer domain from freely available sources. Keyword-based search strings were then used to extract about 2,500 patents and published applications. After removing family duplicates and running data checks, the records were screened using the title, abstract and claims.

In Phase 2, the relevant records were categorised and analysed, and graphs were prepared to show the trends. Of 2,508 unique patents and applications analysed, 1,807 were found relevant to skin cancer treatment.

Filing Trend: Steady Growth Since the 1990s

Patent filings related to skin cancer treatment were very low in the early 1990s, with only 4 in 1992 and 28 in 1995. Activity then picked up quickly: filings crossed 80 in 2002, reached 137 in 2008, and peaked at 154 in 2011. They stayed high in the following years (152 in 2013).

The lower numbers for 2014 (107) and 2015 (67) should be read carefully. Patent applications are generally published about 18 months after filing, so the most recent filings are not fully visible in the data.

Publication Trend: Sharp Rise After 2013

Publications stayed almost flat between 2010 and 2012 (159, 147 and 146). From 2013 the numbers rose sharply: 164 in 2013, 189 in 2014 and 214 in 2015, the highest in the period studied. This shows that interest in skin cancer treatment was accelerating.

Key Takeaway

Over two decades, skin cancer treatment has moved from a niche research area to a field with strong and growing innovation activity. In Part 2, we look at who is driving it: the companies, universities, inventors and countries leading the way.