In 2023, the number of patents in the biotechnology sector in South Africa stood at 11.65 units. From 2013 to 2023, the year-on-year variations have been quite volatile, with the highest growth of 246.43% in 2020 and the steepest decline of 63.02% in 2019. The overall Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the last five years (2018-2023) stands at -1.59%. A noticeable decline is observed from 2018 onwards, reflecting decreased patent activity.

Looking ahead from 2024 to 2028, the forecast suggests a continued gradual decline in patent numbers, with a five-year CAGR of -2.17% and an overall decline of 10.37% by 2028. This indicates a consistent downtrend, raising concerns about innovation and investment in the South African biotechnology sector.

Future trends to watch for include:

Government policies and incentives to boost R&D and patent activity.
Involvement of international biotech companies and partnerships.
Developments in adjacent sectors like pharmaceuticals that could drive biotech innovation.