#None #European Patent Office #Finalists #Inventor Award

European Inventor Award 2026 Finalists Announced

The European Patent Office (EPO) recently revealed the 12 finalists for the prestigious European Inventor Award 2026, aimed at honoring inventors who are making significant contributions to solving pressing global issues. This year’s finalists encompass a diverse range of sectors including biotechnology, healthcare, renewable energy, semiconductors, digital technologies, food technology, quantum science, rail transport, and advanced manufacturing.

Finalist Overview

The list of finalists showcases individual inventors and teams hailing from various corners of the globe, including Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Selected by an impartial international jury, the finalists’ inventions underline the potential of science, engineering, and entrepreneurial culture in fostering sustainable societies, enhancing healthcare systems, and strengthening economies.

Categories:

1. Industry
- Giuseppe Crippa et al. from Italy: Developed a method for the rapid, local production of semiconductor probe cards.
- Evangelos Eleftheriou et al. from Switzerland and Greece: Advanced digital storage technologies, including magnetic and flash memory systems.
- Angeliki Triantafyllou from Greece and Sweden: Created a patented enzymatic process that enhances oat-based drinks’ stability and taste.

2. Non-EPO Countries
- Yu Haijun and Xie Yinghao from China: Innovated a method to recycle spent lithium-ion batteries into high-performance materials.
- Emily Morris and Thorsten Stoesser from the USA and Germany: Developed a modular hydropower system that utilizes existing canal systems.
- Aníbal Montalva Rodríguez and Miguel Ángel Fernández Donoso from Chile: Designed a living biofilter to purify polluted air.

3. Research
- Sir Adrian Hill et al. from Ireland and the UK: Pioneered a highly effective malaria vaccine.
- Mikko Möttönen from Finland: Invented an ultrasensitive cryogenic microwave sensor for diagnosing interference in quantum computers.
- Paula Videira et al. from Portugal: Created L2A5, a distinct antibody that differentiates cancer cells from healthy ones.

4. SMEs
- Jan Čmelík et al. from the Czech Republic: Advanced needle-free electrospinning technology for industrial-scale nanofiber production.
- Przemek Ben Paczek et al. from Poland: Designed a magnetic levitation system to upgrade existing railway infrastructures.
- Franck Zal from France: Developed a universal oxygen carrier based on haemoglobin from marine worms to better preserve organs and tissues.

Popular Prize and Lifetime Achievement Award

As part of this year's festivities, all 12 finalists are also eligible for the Popular Prize, which will be determined through public voting, opening today and running until the award ceremony on July 2, 2026. Moreover, the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award will be declared on June 10, 2026.

About the European Inventor Award

Since its inception in 2006, the European Inventor Award has become a hallmark of innovation in Europe. Aimed at recognizing individuals and teams who address large-scale societal challenges, this award stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of creativity and problem-solving.

The EPO, based in Munich, is a pivotal public service institution that plays a crucial role in patent cooperation across Europe. With a team of over 6,300, the EPO facilitates high-quality patent protection in up to 46 countries, forming a marketplace of approximately 700 million people. It is also renowned as a top authority in patent information and research.

The announcement will culminate in a live-streamed ceremony on July 2, 2026, from Berlin, celebrating the ingenuity and impact of these inventors and their groundbreaking inventions.