In a decisive move aimed at improving efficiency and safeguarding the integrity of the U.S. intellectual property system, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced the suspension of expedited examination for design patent applications, effective April 17, 2025. The policy change was officially detailed in a notice published in the USPTO’s Official Gazette on April 14.
The decision comes in response to a 560% surge in requests for expedited design application reviews—a trend the USPTO attributes in large part to a rise in fraudulent filings. This suspension is part of a broader strategy to reduce the growing inventory of unexamined design applications, curb misuse of the system, and ensure accurate and fair processing for legitimate applicants.
Key Reasons Behind the Suspension
According to the USPTO, the unexpected spike in expedited examination requests has placed significant pressure on examiners and contributed to increased backlogs in the design application pipeline. Much of this rise, the agency notes, is linked to fraudulent filings, which not only distort processing timelines but also pose risks to the integrity of the U.S. intellectual property system.
The USPTO also cites a rise in erroneous micro entity certifications—false claims to fee discounts intended for small applicants—as a factor in its decision. These certifications have become a growing concern in recent years, complicating the patent review process and necessitating additional scrutiny.
What the Suspension Means for Applicants
Starting April 17, 2025, the USPTO will no longer grant requests for expedited examination of design applications, including any renewed or pending requests submitted on or after that date. In line with this change:
Associated fees will be refunded in full for requests made after the effective date.
The USPTO will continue to examine design applications under its standard timeline, as it works to reduce overall pendency and inventory.
Impact on the Design Patent Community
The suspension will have a notable impact on companies and individuals relying on faster design patent protection for products with short market cycles, particularly in sectors like fashion, consumer electronics, and packaging design. However, the USPTO maintains that ensuring quality and transparency in the application process outweighs the short-term disruption caused by the policy shift.
Industry analysts suggest that while the suspension may create delays for some innovators, the move is likely to improve the reliability and credibility of granted design patents in the long run, which is critical for both domestic and international enforcement.
Broader Reform Efforts
This policy change is one component of the USPTO’s wider agenda to combat abuse and strengthen the integrity of the IP system. The office has been ramping up enforcement against fraudulent filings, improving data analytics to detect suspicious activity, and refining procedures for certifying applicant eligibility for reduced fees.
The USPTO also continues to explore new technologies and staffing solutions to address examination delays and ensure legitimate applications are processed efficiently.
AI
China Sees Sharp Decline in Invention Patent Grants in Q1 2025, Reflecting Shift Toward Patent Quality Over Quantity
China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released new statistics on April 15, 2025, revealing a significant decline in invention patent grants during the first quarter of the year. According to the official data, the number of invention patents granted between January and March 2025 dropped by 20.99% year-on-year, amounting to a reduction of 52,870 patents, with a total of 199,012 invention patents granted during the period.
The downward trend was not isolated to invention patents alone. Utility model grants, another category of intellectual property protection frequently used in China, also saw a marginal decline of 2.33%, decreasing by 11,032 grants compared to the first quarter of 2024, bringing the total to 408,419 utility model grants.
However, in contrast to the broader decline, design patent grants recorded a notable increase. The CNIPA reported a 10.11% year-on-year growth, with 161,058 design patents granted in Q1 2025—an increase of 14,788 grants compared to the same period last year.
Trademark Registrations Also Down
The downturn extended into trademark registrations. From January to March 2025, the number of new trademarks registered in China fell by 193,996, reflecting a 14.97% decline compared to the first quarter of 2024. This slump may reflect broader economic uncertainties or shifts in business activity.
Factors Behind the Decline
While CNIPA has not issued an official explanation for the steep decline in invention patent grants, several contributing factors appear to be at play—chief among them, China’s evolving strategy around intellectual property quality and enforcement.
End of Patent Subsidies: Government subsidies for patent grants, once a major driver behind China’s patent filing boom, have officially ended in 2025. This move was aimed at reducing low-quality and opportunistic filings.
Crackdown on “Abnormal” Applications: Chinese authorities have continued to intensify scrutiny on fraudulent or low-value patent applications. This regulatory push has likely discouraged mass filing practices that previously inflated patent figures.
Shift Toward High-Value Patents: China has reoriented its IP strategy from emphasizing sheer volume to focusing on the number of high-value patents per 10,000 people, moving away from raw patent filing counts as the primary performance metric.
In addition, the broader slowdown in China’s economy may be influencing innovation output and intellectual property activity. However, due to the nature of patent processing timelines, such effects may manifest with a delay, making patent grants a lagging indicator of underlying economic trends.
Long-Term Outlook Remains Ambitious
Despite the recent decline, CNIPA’s 2025 budget signals continued confidence in long-term innovation momentum. The agency expects to receive over 5 million patent applications this year and plans to examine more than 2 million invention patent applications. These targets reflect China’s sustained investment in intellectual property infrastructure and commitment to fostering innovation at scale.
The full dataset, published in Chinese under the title “2025年3月国家知识产权局审查注册登记统计月报（外部版)”, offers a detailed monthly breakdown of IP activity and can be accessed through CNIPA’s official platform.
As China continues to prioritize patent quality and reform its intellectual property system, the first quarter data may represent more than just a temporary dip—it could signal a lasting transformation in how innovation is measured and rewarded in the world’s second-largest economy.
The downward trend was not isolated to invention patents alone. Utility model grants, another category of intellectual property protection frequently used in China, also saw a marginal decline of 2.33%, decreasing by 11,032 grants compared to the first quarter of 2024, bringing the total to 408,419 utility model grants.
However, in contrast to the broader decline, design patent grants recorded a notable increase. The CNIPA reported a 10.11% year-on-year growth, with 161,058 design patents granted in Q1 2025—an increase of 14,788 grants compared to the same period last year.
Trademark Registrations Also Down
The downturn extended into trademark registrations. From January to March 2025, the number of new trademarks registered in China fell by 193,996, reflecting a 14.97% decline compared to the first quarter of 2024. This slump may reflect broader economic uncertainties or shifts in business activity.
Factors Behind the Decline
While CNIPA has not issued an official explanation for the steep decline in invention patent grants, several contributing factors appear to be at play—chief among them, China’s evolving strategy around intellectual property quality and enforcement.
End of Patent Subsidies: Government subsidies for patent grants, once a major driver behind China’s patent filing boom, have officially ended in 2025. This move was aimed at reducing low-quality and opportunistic filings.
Crackdown on “Abnormal” Applications: Chinese authorities have continued to intensify scrutiny on fraudulent or low-value patent applications. This regulatory push has likely discouraged mass filing practices that previously inflated patent figures.
Shift Toward High-Value Patents: China has reoriented its IP strategy from emphasizing sheer volume to focusing on the number of high-value patents per 10,000 people, moving away from raw patent filing counts as the primary performance metric.
In addition, the broader slowdown in China’s economy may be influencing innovation output and intellectual property activity. However, due to the nature of patent processing timelines, such effects may manifest with a delay, making patent grants a lagging indicator of underlying economic trends.
Long-Term Outlook Remains Ambitious
Despite the recent decline, CNIPA’s 2025 budget signals continued confidence in long-term innovation momentum. The agency expects to receive over 5 million patent applications this year and plans to examine more than 2 million invention patent applications. These targets reflect China’s sustained investment in intellectual property infrastructure and commitment to fostering innovation at scale.
The full dataset, published in Chinese under the title “2025年3月国家知识产权局审查注册登记统计月报（外部版)”, offers a detailed monthly breakdown of IP activity and can be accessed through CNIPA’s official platform.
As China continues to prioritize patent quality and reform its intellectual property system, the first quarter data may represent more than just a temporary dip—it could signal a lasting transformation in how innovation is measured and rewarded in the world’s second-largest economy.
USPTO Streamlines Patent Issuance Timeline with Faster Turnaround Starting May 13
In a move that promises to bring greater efficiency to the U.S. patent system, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced a major update to its patent issuance process.
This improvement marks a significant shift in the patenting landscape, providing faster legal recognition of inventions and reducing administrative lag for both individual inventors and companies awaiting protection for their intellectual property.
Transition to Digital Patent Grants Accelerates the Process
The accelerated timeline has been made possible in large part due to the USPTO’s adoption of electronic patent grants (eGrants). With the USPTO now fully transitioned to digital issuance, those time-consuming steps have been eliminated, allowing for quicker finalization of granted patents.
The agency has stated that, once all requirements are met and the Issue Fee is paid, inventors typically receive an Issue Notification within one to two weeks. Under the new process, the formal patent will be granted just two weeks after this notification, as opposed to the previous three-week standard.
Benefits for Inventors and Legal Professionals
This change not only shortens the waiting period for inventors eager to see their rights formally granted, but it also has strategic legal benefits. The reduced timeline cuts down the so-called “lame duck” period—a window of time during which inventors and their legal counsel are still required to submit any known prior art that might affect the patent’s validity. During this period, submissions of relevant information could cause delays in issuance.
By shortening this window, the USPTO effectively reduces the likelihood of last-minute delays caused by prior art disclosures, allowing for smoother and more predictable patent finalizations.
A Win for Innovation and IP Management
The streamlined process is being welcomed by the patent community as a step in the right direction. Faster issuance allows inventors to enforce their rights sooner, boosts the value of patent portfolios more quickly, and provides an advantage to companies working in fast-moving sectors such as technology, pharmaceuticals, and biotech.
“This is a smart move by the USPTO,” said a patent attorney at a Washington-based IP law firm. “In a time where speed to market can make or break an invention’s commercial potential, cutting down unnecessary administrative lag can be a game-changer.”
Looking Ahead
The USPTO has been steadily modernizing its systems to better serve inventors, including the roll-out of digital filing systems, the modernization of examiner tools, and now this reduction in issuance lag. These changes reflect the agency’s ongoing commitment to streamlining operations while maintaining high standards for patent examination and grant quality.
As of May 13, inventors who receive their issue notifications can expect to see their patents granted just two weeks later—giving them the legal recognition and rights they’ve earned, faster than ever before.
This improvement marks a significant shift in the patenting landscape, providing faster legal recognition of inventions and reducing administrative lag for both individual inventors and companies awaiting protection for their intellectual property.
Transition to Digital Patent Grants Accelerates the Process
The accelerated timeline has been made possible in large part due to the USPTO’s adoption of electronic patent grants (eGrants). With the USPTO now fully transitioned to digital issuance, those time-consuming steps have been eliminated, allowing for quicker finalization of granted patents.
The agency has stated that, once all requirements are met and the Issue Fee is paid, inventors typically receive an Issue Notification within one to two weeks. Under the new process, the formal patent will be granted just two weeks after this notification, as opposed to the previous three-week standard.
Benefits for Inventors and Legal Professionals
This change not only shortens the waiting period for inventors eager to see their rights formally granted, but it also has strategic legal benefits. The reduced timeline cuts down the so-called “lame duck” period—a window of time during which inventors and their legal counsel are still required to submit any known prior art that might affect the patent’s validity. During this period, submissions of relevant information could cause delays in issuance.
By shortening this window, the USPTO effectively reduces the likelihood of last-minute delays caused by prior art disclosures, allowing for smoother and more predictable patent finalizations.
A Win for Innovation and IP Management
The streamlined process is being welcomed by the patent community as a step in the right direction. Faster issuance allows inventors to enforce their rights sooner, boosts the value of patent portfolios more quickly, and provides an advantage to companies working in fast-moving sectors such as technology, pharmaceuticals, and biotech.
“This is a smart move by the USPTO,” said a patent attorney at a Washington-based IP law firm. “In a time where speed to market can make or break an invention’s commercial potential, cutting down unnecessary administrative lag can be a game-changer.”
Looking Ahead
The USPTO has been steadily modernizing its systems to better serve inventors, including the roll-out of digital filing systems, the modernization of examiner tools, and now this reduction in issuance lag. These changes reflect the agency’s ongoing commitment to streamlining operations while maintaining high standards for patent examination and grant quality.
As of May 13, inventors who receive their issue notifications can expect to see their patents granted just two weeks later—giving them the legal recognition and rights they’ve earned, faster than ever before.
Tata Motors Achieves Record IP Milestone with 250 Patent Filings in FY25, Focuses on Future Mobility
Tata Motors, India’s leading automotive manufacturer, announced on Thursday that it has achieved a record-breaking milestone in intellectual property filings, with 250 patents and 148 design applications submitted during FY2024-25, the highest in the company’s history for a single financial year.
In a statement highlighting its innovation-driven strategy, Tata Motors emphasized that these filings span a wide array of product and process innovations that align with key global automotive megatrends — Connectivity, Electrification, Sustainability, and Safety (CESS) — along with next-generation technologies such as hydrogen-powered vehicles and fuel cell systems.
Innovations Driving the Future of Mobility
The patents and design applications represent advancements across core automotive systems, including:
Battery technology
Powertrain systems
Vehicle body and trim
Suspension and braking systems
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
Emission control technologies
These innovations are part of Tata Motors’ broader commitment to creating sustainable and intelligent mobility solutions, reinforcing its position at the forefront of India’s transition to green and connected transportation.
Strengthening IP Portfolio
In addition to the patent and design filings, Tata Motors also submitted 81 copyright applications and secured 68 patent grants in the fiscal year, bringing the company’s total granted patents to 918 — a substantial number underscoring its deep focus on research and development.
“Our growing portfolio of pioneering technologies demonstrates our steadfast commitment to nation-building through cutting-edge automotive solutions,” said Rajendra Petkar, President and Chief Technology Officer, Tata Motors. “We continue to invest in future-ready technologies that not only meet customer needs but also support environmental goals.”
Commitment to R&D and Innovation
The company’s FY25 filings reflect its ongoing investment in R&D and advanced engineering, with a strong emphasis on decarbonization, intelligent vehicle architecture, and alternative fuels.
Tata Motors has been a key contributor to India’s electric mobility revolution, with its EV offerings gaining substantial traction in both passenger and commercial segments. The company is also actively exploring hydrogen internal combustion engines and fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) technologies, in line with the government’s push for a diversified clean mobility strategy.
Vision for the Future
Looking forward, Tata Motors reiterated its long-term vision to shape the future of mobility, catering to the evolving expectations of modern consumers and contributing to sustainable community development.
“Our efforts are rooted in anticipating the future and delivering innovations that transform the way India moves,” added Petkar.
With this significant leap in intellectual property filings, Tata Motors not only reinforces its innovation leadership in the Indian automotive sector but also demonstrates its growing influence on the global stage, where technological IP is becoming a key differentiator in the race toward next-gen mobility.
Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Could Feature Touch-Sensitive Back Panel for Gesture Controls
A newly published patent hints at a bold innovation that could define the Pixel 10 Pro: a touch-sensitive rear panel that recognizes gestures, expanding how users interact with their smartphones beyond the traditional touchscreen.
Filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the patent, titled “Leveraging Inactive Touchpoints For Gesture Recognition and User Interface Configuration,” outlines a system that transforms the typically dormant backside of a smartphone into a dynamic, gesture-sensitive surface.
Turning the Back of the Phone Into a Control Panel
Unlike current Pixel models, where interaction is limited to the display or frame buttons, the Pixel 10 Pro could allow users to perform actions simply by swiping or tapping on the back of the device. Suggested functions include:
Volume adjustment
Media controls (play, pause, skip)
Zoom level changes in the camera app
UI navigation or customization triggers
While some of these features may sound familiar — Google’s Quick Tap already allows double-tapping the back of the phone to activate specific actions — the newly patented system goes far beyond. Instead of a basic on/off gesture, this technology would recognize more nuanced and customizable gestures, likely powered by machine learning to personalize the experience per user.
For instance, the system would distinguish between someone simply holding their phone versus intentionally swiping across the back. This type of input detection could enhance accessibility and streamline how users multitask on their devices — a natural evolution as phones become more reliant on AI-powered assistance and minimal UI design.
Why Now?
With expectations growing around the Pixel 10 Pro, likely to debut in 2025, Google appears to be aiming for a blend of form, function, and futuristic user interaction.
In a smartphone market saturated with similar-looking devices and iterative updates, a touch-sensitive rear panel could give Google a competitive edge. The tech would also complement the company’s continued AI focus, allowing gesture models to adapt to each user’s patterns, habits, and preferences over time.
The Rear of the Phone: A New Frontier?
The back of smartphones remains an underutilized canvas. Some brands have experimented with mini displays, notification strips, or thermal cooling systems for gamers — but none have made rear touch interaction a mainstream feature.
However, as with any patent filing, there’s no guarantee the technology will appear in the final retail model. Some features described in patents never make it past the prototype stage, while others appear years later in refined forms. Still, this gesture system feels like a logical next step, especially as mobile UIs continue to prioritize fluidity and personalization.
A Natural Evolution of Quick Tap?
It’s worth noting that the groundwork is already in place. Google introduced Quick Tap on recent Pixel models, letting users assign a double-tap gesture on the back of the phone to trigger specific functions like screenshots or Google Assistant. A more advanced gesture system would build directly on that foundation — moving from binary tap detection to multi-dimensional gesture recognition.
USPTO Releases New Guidance on Patent Eligibility for AI-Based Inventions
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued updated guidance to help innovators, examiners, and stakeholders better understand how AI-related inventions can meet the standards for patent eligibility under U.S. law.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve and reshape industries, the USPTO has provided detailed insights into how patent claims involving AI technology are assessed—particularly those involving neural networks and machine learning algorithms.
Three Key Takeaways from the USPTO’s Hypothetical Scenarios
To clarify its approach, the USPTO introduced a set of hypothetical AI inventions, including one focused on data anomaly detection using artificial neural networks. The invention is claimed in three different formats to illustrate various outcomes in the patent eligibility process:
Hardware-Based Implementation Supports Eligibility
When an AI system is described as running on specific hardware or integrated with a technical apparatus, it is more likely to be viewed as patent eligible. This approach grounds the invention in a concrete technological framework.
Abstract Model Training Alone May Be Ineligible
Claims that focus only on the high-level process of training and using a model—without grounding it in a technical application—are likely to be considered abstract ideas and therefore patent ineligible under current legal standards.
System Behavior Based on AI Output Boosts Eligibility
The most nuanced insight reveals that how a system reacts to the AI’s output can be crucial. If the invention includes specific actions triggered by the AI’s decision or analysis, this interaction may constitute a patent-eligible technological improvement.
Why This Matters
These insights reflect a growing effort by the USPTO to balance innovation with legal clarity in the rapidly advancing field of AI. The guidance helps applicants craft claims that are more likely to survive scrutiny, especially during examination, appeals, and post-grant reviews.
The update also introduces a new set of AI-specific examples to guide both patent examiners and inventors in determining what constitutes eligible subject matter under existing laws.
Looking Ahead
As AI technologies become more sophisticated and embedded in everyday systems, the USPTO’s 2024 guidance serves as a critical roadmap for innovators seeking robust intellectual property protection. Those developing AI-driven solutions should consider these factors carefully to enhance their chances of securing a valid, enforceable patent.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve and reshape industries, the USPTO has provided detailed insights into how patent claims involving AI technology are assessed—particularly those involving neural networks and machine learning algorithms.
Three Key Takeaways from the USPTO’s Hypothetical Scenarios
To clarify its approach, the USPTO introduced a set of hypothetical AI inventions, including one focused on data anomaly detection using artificial neural networks. The invention is claimed in three different formats to illustrate various outcomes in the patent eligibility process:
Hardware-Based Implementation Supports Eligibility
When an AI system is described as running on specific hardware or integrated with a technical apparatus, it is more likely to be viewed as patent eligible. This approach grounds the invention in a concrete technological framework.
Abstract Model Training Alone May Be Ineligible
Claims that focus only on the high-level process of training and using a model—without grounding it in a technical application—are likely to be considered abstract ideas and therefore patent ineligible under current legal standards.
System Behavior Based on AI Output Boosts Eligibility
The most nuanced insight reveals that how a system reacts to the AI’s output can be crucial. If the invention includes specific actions triggered by the AI’s decision or analysis, this interaction may constitute a patent-eligible technological improvement.
Why This Matters
These insights reflect a growing effort by the USPTO to balance innovation with legal clarity in the rapidly advancing field of AI. The guidance helps applicants craft claims that are more likely to survive scrutiny, especially during examination, appeals, and post-grant reviews.
The update also introduces a new set of AI-specific examples to guide both patent examiners and inventors in determining what constitutes eligible subject matter under existing laws.
Looking Ahead
As AI technologies become more sophisticated and embedded in everyday systems, the USPTO’s 2024 guidance serves as a critical roadmap for innovators seeking robust intellectual property protection. Those developing AI-driven solutions should consider these factors carefully to enhance their chances of securing a valid, enforceable patent.
💡 Why VCs Are Betting Big on Patent-Led Startups in India
In India’s ever-evolving startup landscape, one thing is becoming crystal clear: ideas alone aren’t enough. Investors are now looking for proof of real innovation, and the clearest sign of that? Intellectual Property (IP) — especially patents.
Gone are the days when startups could raise millions based on flashy pitches or vague promises of AI-powered disruption. In 2025, IP is the new currency, and deep-tech startups are leading the charge.
🚀 The Numbers Tell the Story
According to Tracxn, Indian startups focused on deep technology and backed by solid IP portfolios raised a whopping $994 million across 284 deals in 2024. And the momentum is only building — 47 IP-led startups have already attracted $220.5 million this year alone.
Names like Infinite Uptime, Bellatrix Aerospace, SpotDraft, and Attentive AI are drawing serious investor interest — and for good reason.
🛡️ Why Patents Matter More Than Ever
Venture capitalists are becoming increasingly cautious, especially in sectors like AI, where hype often outpaces substance. “We’re looking for proof of technical depth,” says Manu Iyer, Co-founder at Bluehill.vc.
Patents create barriers to entry, signal technical competence, and offer strategic advantages in global markets. They also act as safety nets — providing potential licensing revenues or sale value even if a startup needs to pivot.
🧠 The IP-Driven Startups Drawing Big Checks
Startups with a solid patent strategy are standing out. Think:
Ather Energy – innovating in EV and battery tech
Agnikul & Skyroot – pushing boundaries in space tech
Log9 Materials & Lohum – leading battery and recycling innovation
IdeaForge – soaring with drone technology
Niramai – reimagining health diagnostics with AI
These startups are backed by heavyweights like pi Ventures, Axilor, Temasek, GIC, Tiger Global, and InnoVen Capital — all of whom are putting their faith (and funds) into IP-backed innovation.
🔧 Real Innovation Over Assembly
Take Raptee. HV, a Chennai-based electric motorcycle startup. Unlike many others in the space, Raptee designs everything in-house — including its high-voltage powertrain. The company has filed 156 patents around its tech.
“We’re not just assembling off-the-shelf components,” says Co-founder and CEO Dinesh Arjun. “Our IP is what sets us apart — it proves we’re solving real problems with original engineering.”
🌍 Beyond India: IP Opens Global Doors
Beyond just securing funding, IP helps startups scale globally. It opens up new revenue streams through licensing, enables strategic partnerships, and most importantly, acts as a shield against legal battles or copycat competitors.
As Bhaskar Majumdar, Managing Partner at Unicorn India Ventures, puts it: “Startups with strong technical foundations and proprietary IP stand out in today’s noisy innovation landscape.”
📈 The Bottom Line
India’s startup ecosystem is maturing, and with it, VC expectations are evolving. The message is clear: deeptech, defensibility, and differentiation matter more than ever. In this new era, patents aren’t just paperwork — they’re power.
So, if you’re building the next big thing, don’t just chase the buzz. Build real tech. File those patents. And let your innovation speak for itself.
LPU Tops India in Innovation with Record 1,418 Patent Filings in 2023–24: Government Report
Lovely Professional University (LPU) has once again demonstrated its leadership in innovation by filing a total of 1,418 patent applications during the 2023-2024 academic year. This achievement is detailed in the Government of India’s Annual Report of Intellectual Property India for the 2023-2024 period. Notably, this figure surpasses the combined total of 1106 patent applications filed by all Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) during the same timeframe.
Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Member of Rajya Sabha and Founder Chancellor of LPU, expressed pride in the university’s research community, stating that their relentless dedication has significantly contributed to India’s global innovation standing. He emphasized that such accomplishments play a pivotal role in enhancing India’s position as a leading innovative economy worldwide.
Beyond patent filings, LPU’s research credentials are further bolstered by over 22,000 publications, 129,000 Scopus citations, and an H-Index of 118. The university also boasts more than 1,800 granted Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), 9,450+ funded projects, and over 550 global collaborations. Notably, many LPU faculty members are recognized among the top 2% of scientists worldwide by Stanford University.
The Division of Research and Development (DRD) at LPU plays a pivotal role in fostering interdisciplinary research across STEM, Humanities, and Management disciplines. The university’s state-of-the-art laboratories and collaborative culture provide a robust ecosystem for innovation, addressing both societal challenges and global technological needs.
LPU’s exceptional performance in patent filings not only highlights its leadership in innovation but also significantly contributes to India’s standing as a top innovative economy globally.
Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Member of Rajya Sabha and Founder Chancellor of LPU, expressed pride in the university’s research community, stating that their relentless dedication has significantly contributed to India’s global innovation standing. He emphasized that such accomplishments play a pivotal role in enhancing India’s position as a leading innovative economy worldwide.
Beyond patent filings, LPU’s research credentials are further bolstered by over 22,000 publications, 129,000 Scopus citations, and an H-Index of 118. The university also boasts more than 1,800 granted Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), 9,450+ funded projects, and over 550 global collaborations. Notably, many LPU faculty members are recognized among the top 2% of scientists worldwide by Stanford University.
The Division of Research and Development (DRD) at LPU plays a pivotal role in fostering interdisciplinary research across STEM, Humanities, and Management disciplines. The university’s state-of-the-art laboratories and collaborative culture provide a robust ecosystem for innovation, addressing both societal challenges and global technological needs.
LPU’s exceptional performance in patent filings not only highlights its leadership in innovation but also significantly contributes to India’s standing as a top innovative economy globally.
Mphasis Secures U.S. Patent for Quantum Machine Learning Breakthrough
In a notable step toward advancing real-world applications of quantum computing, Bengaluru-based IT services company Mphasis announced on Wednesday that it has been granted a U.S. patent titled “System and method for optimized processing of information on quantum systems.” This new intellectual property milestone positions Mphasis at the forefront of innovation in Quantum Machine Learning (QML)—a field rapidly reshaping the future of artificial intelligence and data processing.
🚀 A New Era for Quantum-AI Integration
As quantum computing evolves from theory to practice, one of the major challenges lies in efficiently translating classical data into quantum-compatible formats. Mphasis’ patented solution directly tackles this issue by providing a pipeline for transforming high-dimensional classical data into an optimized quantum feature space. This ensures that data is not only properly prepared for quantum processing, but also that it maximizes performance while minimizing resource usage—a key concern with today’s qubit-limited quantum systems.
The technology is designed to:
Reduce the need for additional qubits when dealing with complex, high-dimensional data
Manage large feature sets and data volumes with efficiency
Improve convergence speed during QML model training, thereby shortening time-to-insight
In simpler terms, this patent paves the way for faster, more scalable, and more cost-effective quantum machine learning models—making QML a more viable tool for businesses and researchers alike.
💬 Industry Perspective
Srikumar Ramanathan, Chief Solutions Officer at Mphasis, emphasized the transformative nature of the development:
This sentiment reflects a growing consensus in the tech world that quantum computing—particularly in synergy with AI—holds immense potential to solve complex problems in fields ranging from finance and healthcare to logistics and cybersecurity.
🧩 Why This Patent Matters
While quantum computing remains in its nascent stage, the importance of developing hardware-aware, forward-compatible algorithms and data pipelines cannot be overstated. Most current quantum devices have limited qubit counts and high error rates. By creating methods that optimize data preparation and quantum state loading, Mphasis is future-proofing its QML capabilities for both near-term quantum simulators and more powerful systems to come.
Furthermore, this development is in line with a broader industry trend of investing in hybrid computing solutions—where classical and quantum processors collaborate, each handling tasks they’re best suited for.
🌐 Mphasis: Driving Innovation Beyond Traditional IT
Known for its expertise in cloud, cognitive services, and digital transformation, Mphasis has steadily expanded its footprint in cutting-edge technology domains, including AI, blockchain, and now quantum computing. The new patent is not just a technological feat—it’s a strategic asset that strengthens the firm’s position as a forward-looking technology partner for enterprises navigating the quantum era.
🔮 Looking Ahead
Quantum computing may still be a few years away from widespread enterprise adoption, but milestones like this show that companies like Mphasis are not waiting for the future—they’re building it. By addressing core technical bottlenecks in quantum machine learning today, Mphasis is laying the groundwork for solutions that could redefine what’s possible in data-driven innovation tomorrow.
CERo Therapeutics Expands Patent Portfolio with Two Key Approvals for Cancer-Fighting T Cell Therapy
In a significant step forward for next-generation immunotherapy, CERo Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: CERO) has announced the allowance of two patent applications by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). These approvals further strengthen the company’s intellectual property portfolio and advance its mission to revolutionize cancer treatment through engineered T cell technology.
🧬 What the New Patents Cover
The first allowance, Patent Application No. 17/040,472, titled “Cellular Immunotherapy Compositions and Uses Thereof,” provides coverage for both the composition and methods of use for CERo’s lead therapeutic candidate, CER-1236.
This patent secures protection for a combination of phosphatidylserine-targeting CD4+ CER-T cells alongside either CD8+ CAR-T cells or CD8+ recombinant TCR-T cells — a potentially powerful duo in the fight against cancer. The application was allowed on March 13, 2025, and is expected to formally issue as a U.S. patent pending final administrative steps.
The second allowance, Patent Application No. 17/040,317, focuses on the design elements of CER-1236.
Together, these new additions bring CERo’s total IP protection to 17 issued and allowed patents globally, covering 9 patent families and ensuring exclusivity through at least 2039 in the U.S.
🚀 Why This Matters
According to Chris Ehrlich, CEO of CERo Therapeutics:
This announcement comes on the heels of two major developments for CERo — the opening of its first clinical trial site for a Phase 1 trial in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and the FDA’s clearance of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to begin human trials targeting ovarian and non-small cell lung cancers.
🧪 What Sets CERo Apart
CERo’s platform centers on what it calls Chimeric Engulfment Receptor T cells (CER-T) — a unique blend of adaptive and innate immune functionalities. Unlike traditional CAR-T cells, which rely on antigen recognition and activation, CER-T cells incorporate engulfment pathways that allow them to phagocytose and destroy cancer cells — mimicking a mechanism usually seen in innate immune cells.
This hybrid design could position CER-Ts as a more versatile alternative, with the potential to treat both blood cancers and solid tumors, a key limitation in current CAR-T therapies.
🧭 Looking Ahead
CERo is preparing to initiate clinical trials for CER-1236 in hematologic malignancies in 2025, and with its fortified patent portfolio, the company is well-positioned to push its immunotherapy pipeline forward — both scientifically and commercially.
The additional patent protections will not only support ongoing R&D and commercialization efforts but also provide a competitive moat in an increasingly crowded cell therapy space.
Conclusion:
As CERo advances toward clinical trials, these patent approvals reflect growing validation for its novel T cell engineering approach. With a focus on real innovation and strong IP protection, CERo Therapeutics continues to stake its claim as a leader in the evolving world of cellular immunotherapy.