Singapore may be small in geographic size, but in the global intellectual property market, it proves to be a strong international player. From 2019 to 2023, the country solidified its position as a crucial hub for cross-border patent protection, serving as both a strategic launchpad for international IP filings and a preferred destination for global innovators targeting the Southeast Asian region.
The 2019-2023 data on Singapore’s top patent prosecution firms reveals a market defined by high foreign filing activity and cross-border collaboration. Most firms operating in the country are deeply integrated into multinational IP networks, either through mergers or long-standing global affiliations.
With nearly 80,000 filings between 2019 and 2023, and an average of 68% as foreign filings, Singapore proves that it is a key player in the Asia-Pacific region.
Rank: Who’s Leading the Patent Filing Market? Largest 25 Patent Prosecution Firms in Singapore
At the top of Singapore’s patent prosecution rankings is SPRUSON & FERGUSON, with nearly 18,000 filings between 2019 and 2023. A longstanding firm with a key hold across the Asia-Pacific, the firm holds a substantial share of the Singaporean market, with 89% of its filings originating from foreign clients and over 80% linked to PCT filings.
In second place is DREW & NAPIER LLC, one of the largest law firms in Singapore, and a well-respected local law firm known for its cross-border relationship network. With over 12,600 filings, Drew & Napier hold a staggering 98% foreign filing share.
Also featured in the top ten:
- MARKS & CLERK SG
- VIERING, JENTSCHURA & PARTNER
- MIRANDAH ASIA
- DONALDSON & BURKINSHAW
- AMICA LAW LLC
- ALLEN & GLEDHILL LLP
- YUSARN AUDREY
- RODYK IP T/A Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP
These firms reflect the diversity of the market, ranging from full-service local and well-known firms to internationally headquartered IP firms.
A Market Powered by International Filings
Singapore’s IP market is overwhelmingly international in nature. The vast majority of filings are of foreign-origin, reflecting Singapore’s reputation as a politically stable, English-speaking, business-friendly jurisdiction with high regulatory trust.
Across the top 10 firms, foreign filing shares often exceed 85–90% (see table above), with many handling large volumes of PCT national phase entries. This makes Singapore a strategic second-phase filing country, especially for applicants based in the US, Europe, China, Japan, and South Korea.
This global approach also positions Singapore as a gateway to ASEAN, serving as a start-point for regional patent enforcement, licensing, and commercialization strategies.
Singapore: Number of Patent Applications and Shares of Foreign Filings per Firm
Technology Sectors Focus of Singaporean Patent Filings Worldwide
Singaporean firms are not just gateways for international applicants, they are also active global filers in their own right, particularly in sectors where the nation’s strategic investments in R&D and innovation* are paying off.
Singaporean applicants have shown a strong focus in a few key tech areas from 2019-2023, especially in sectors where the nation’s strategic investments in R&D and innovation*. The push comes from the RIE2025 plan put in place by the Singaporean government to encourage innovation in the following four areas:
- Manufacturing, Trade and Connectivity
- Human Health and Potential
- Urban Solutions and Sustainability
- Smart Nation and Digital Economy
An analysis of global patent published filings by Singaporean applicants reveals clear focus areas and emerging trends in technology specialisation.
*See The RIE2025 Plan: https://www.nrf.gov.sg/rie-ecosystem/ecosystem/
Top Technology Fields by Volume (published filings)
Between 2019 and 2023, Singaporean law firms were most active globally in filing in the following technology areas:
- Pharmaceuticals (15,850)
- Biotechnology (11,982)
- Computer Technology (9,488)
- Organic Fine Chemistry (7,625)
- Digital Communication (6,912)
These sectors align closely with Singapore’s national R&D priorities and reflect its strategic role in healthtech, chemical manufacturing, and digital infrastructure. The prominence of Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology demonstrates Singapore’s growing strength in biomedical innovation, bolstered by world-class clinical research and life sciences investments.
Meanwhile, Computer Technology and Digital Communication continue to be core filing domains, showcasing Singapore’s sustained leadership in the digital economy and connectivity infrastructure.
These fields not only represent high-volume patent activity, but also embody Singapore’s evolving innovation identity.
High-Growth Areas
Several technology fields have seen a surge in global patent activity by Singaporean firms from 2019 – 2023, reflecting new directions in innovation and diversification that align with their REI2025 plan:
- Electrical Machinery, Apparatus, and Energy (41% growth)
This category shows a strong upward trend as Singapore pushes forward with clean energy initiatives, energy storage research, and smart grid technologies. According to the Energy Market Authority (EMA), it reflects both national policy shifts toward sustainability and private-sector investment in power systems and electronics.
“As Singapore decarbonises its power sector, the nation’s energy supply mix will become more diverse with the growing deployment of domestic solar and electricity imports. The electricity grid will also become more complex with the addition of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as rooftop solar photovoltaics, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and electric vehicle chargers.”
DH Technologies is leading the charge in this area with 1,121 patents published between 2019-2024. J.A.Kemp (UK), CCPIT Patent and Trademark Office (CN), and Potomac Law Group (US) are the key representatives behind 36% for these filings.
- Food Chemistry (36% growth)
A fast-rising sector driven by Singapore’s focus on food security, agri-tech, and novel food innovation (e.g. lab-grown meat, plant-based proteins). Filings in this area are indicative of the country’s ambition to lead in future food production and regulatory development. According to the SFA, novel food innovation—including plant‑based proteins and cultivated meat—is a key part of Singapore’s strategy to diversify food sources and enhance sustainability. Singapore’s ‘30 by 30’ goal underscores the national drive to align food‑technology innovation, regulation and global competitiveness.University Singapore, while not their main focus, holds the highest published patents in this area from 2019-2024. Food-focused companies such as Nutrition Science Design, Almendra PTE, and Wisorig Tech have food chemistry as their main tech area for filings. Madderns (AUS) and FPA Patent Attorneys (AUS/SG) are listed as the top representatives for these three applicants.
- Furniture, Games (35% growth)
Though traditionally seen as niche, this area has seen notable growth, likely tied to the intersection of industrial design, interactive entertainment, and wellness technology. As gaming and user-experience-focused products grow, this category is becoming more relevant for consumer-facing innovations. Sensetime International are the leading applicant here with a strong focus in the AI sector. Again, we see Madderns (AU) pop up as a leading representative along with Singaporean firm One Legal.
Together, these sectors highlight a broadening of Singapore’s innovation portfolio—moving beyond IT and biotech into adjacent, high-potential sectors.
Read more on the REI2025 plan to learn more about the focus of the Singaporean market: https://www.nrf.gov.sg/rie-ecosystem/ecosystem/
Inbound Activity: Who’s Filing in Singapore?
Outbound Strategy: Where Do Singaporean firms File?
The United States dominates inbound patent filings into Singapore, accounting for 21,200 applications over the period. Following closely are Japan (8,968), China (8,642), and then we see Germany (3,480), rounding out the top 5.
Singaporean applicants are also actively pursuing global IP protection, with the United States at the top, receiving 2,680 filings. Other major destinations include China (2,366), Great Britain (843), and Japan (821).
Countries Sending Most Cases to Singapore: Country Breakdown 2019-2023
Countries Receiving Most Cases from Singapore: Country Breakdown 2019-2023
The Outlook Ahead
Singapore’s strategic location, strong legal infrastructure, and international reputation continue to attract IP activity. As multinational R&D and regional innovation hubs grow across Southeast Asia, Singaporean IP firms are ideally positioned to manage complex portfolios and offer high-value advisory services.
With a stable political climate, a transparent IP office (IPOS), and strong ties to both Western and Asian legal traditions, Singapore is likely to grow in importance for:
- Regional patent litigation
- Tech transfer and licensing
- High-value IP strategy consulting
Conclusion
Singapore’s patent prosecution market between 2019 and 2023 reflects the country’s broader strengths: stability, internationalism, and excellence in execution.
While Spruson & Ferguson and Drew & Napier lead the field in filing volume, other firms such as Marks & Clerk, Viering Jentschura, Amica Law, and Mirandah Asia showcase the country’s diversity and depth of talent.
For foreign applicants looking for a reliable entry point into Asia—or for regional companies seeking a credible platform for global expansion—Singapore remains one of the most attractive IP jurisdictions to do so.
