2013-02-20 09:08:44 -

China and South Korea lead BRICKs in scientific output and patent activity

PHILADELPHIA, February 20, 2013 -China and South Korea outpace the rest of the
BRICK nations in key innovation metrics, according to new research published
today by the Intellectual Property & Science business of Thomson Reuters, the
world's leading provider of intelligent information for businesses and
professionals. The report, "Building Bricks:  Exploring the Global Research
Impact of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Korea," tracks global research
publications, R&D spend and patent filings over a 10-year period to gauge
benchmarks of economic innovation in the BRICK countries: Brazil, Russia, India,
China, and South Korea.

The Thomson Reuters study finds that China and South Korea have made larger
investments, produced more published research and filed a greater number of
patent applications over   the past decade than the rest of the group. The strong
culture of intellectual property protection and broad-based economic growth in
these nations has resulted in more literature citations, on par with some
European Union countries. The research also unveiled that each BRICK nation has
its own, unique profile. For example, while South Korea is prominent in
materials and computer science, Brazil's focus is on agriculture, plant and
animal sciences.

Following are some key observations in the report:

  * China's and South Korea's R&D Investments Soar: Industrial confidence, as
    measured by the total percentage of business spending on R&D, in China and
    South Korea has reached new highs. Between 2000 and 2010, China saw its
    total business expenditure on R&D grow from 59.96% of gross national
    expenditure on R&D to 74.45%.  South Korea had an even higher level of
    business investment in R&D, reaching 74.8% of gross national R&D expenditure
    by 2010.

  * China, South Korea Contribute to Global Patent Surge: In 2010, China and
    South Korea accounted for 84 percent of all BRICK patent filings, helping to
    drive overall growth of 14.9 percent in patent filings worldwide over the
    five years between 2006 and 2010.  Not only did China file the most patents
    globally (526,412), but it has shown double digit year-on-year growth since
    2009, ultimately reflecting six times as many patents as it filed a decade
    ago.

  * BRICKs Increase Scientific Research: In 2000, China produced roughly 25,000
    research papers per year. In 2011, its output exceeded 150,000: a 600
    percent increase. With this increase comes high academic value as well. In
    2010, China filed over 1,000 papers that were cited in the top  one percent
    for their subject.

  * Russia Excels in Physical Sciences: Scientific literature output in Russia
    is most active in the fields of physics, space science and geosciences, with
    physics leading in the area of the most citations to scientific literature
    as well.   In terms of patent innovation, Russia is most active in the field
    of nucleonics, a reflection of its dependence on nuclear energy.

  * India Leads in Pharmaceutical Innovation; Brazil in Petroleum and
    Agriculture Chemicals:  Of all the BRICK nations, India is by far the leader
    in terms of pharmaceutical patent activity, with approximately twice as much
    activity as the next closest BRICK country, Russia. Brazil is most active in
    petroleum-related and agricultural chemical patents, outpacing all other
    BRICK nations in these areas.

"With this report, we  showcase quantitative benchmarks for measuring research
output with a focus on BRICK nations," said Jonathan Adams, director, Research
Evaluation for the Scientific & Scholarly Research business of Thomson Reuters
and one of the authors of the report. "By examining R&D expenditures, human
capital and the resulting research output and impact, we are able to evaluate
and share critical science statistics and trend data, to better understand
emerging regions and how they compare globally."

Data for this report were compiled using Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge and
Derwent World Patents Index.

Access the full report, "Building Bricks:  Exploring the Global Research Impact
of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Korea."


About Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for
businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative
technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the
financial and risk, legal, tax and accounting, intellectual property and science
and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With
headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota,
Thomson Reuters employs approximately 60,000 people and operates in over 100
countries. For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com.


CONTACTS


  Jennifer Breen
  Thomson Reuters
  +1.215.823.1791
  jennifer.breen@thomsonreuters.com

  Jennifer Figueroa
  Thomson Reuters
  +1.972.342.9148
  jennifer.figueroa@thomsonreuters.com



BRICK Infographic: 
 hugin.info/143316/R/1679500/548459.pdf



This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of 
Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: 
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and 
    other applicable laws; and 
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and 
     originality of the information contained therein. 
    
Source: Thomson Reuters Corporation  via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1679500]