The EPO has granted 68,400 patents in 2015 (up from 64,600 in 2014). Whilst the number of granted patents published last year slightly surpassed the target, the grant rate remained unchanged at roughly 48%.

The EPO also improved its timeliness in the delivery of its products and services: the median time to grant came down to 28 months from filing of the examination request. It is good news for users to hear that the time taken for prosecuting a patent at the EPO is heading in the right direction. 

Further details can be found here.