Shanghai's IP drive backs local companies going global

by LIU Sunan

Shanghai is strengthening intellectual property protection to help local companies expand abroad, from self-driving trucks at Thai ports to biodegradable heart devices in European hospitals.

Shanghai held nearly 300,000 patents by mid-2025 and filed almost 3,000 PCT applications in the first half, up 12.2% and 7.9% respectively, Yu Chen, deputy director of the Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration, said at the Shanghai stop of the "Vibrant China Research Tour" on September 9.

Westwell Technology, an AI and autonomous driving company, has expanded to 28 markets with its flagship Q-Truck - the world's first battery-swapping self-driving truck - now in use at ports in Thailand and the UK. ZHOU Min, head of public affairs, said the city has promoted trial programs to help companies commercialize patents and boost competitiveness. Westwell has built a sizable IP portfolio with more than 200 patents and is extending protection through international systems such as the PCT and Madrid frameworks.

Shanghai Shape Memory Alloy, a medical device maker, has launched a biodegradable heart device, known as occluder, in more than 60 countries, including Germany and France. The company holds 290 patents and has 13 more PCT applications pending, part of its push to strengthen its IP position overseas.

Institutional innovation is at the core of Shanghai's IP drive. The city has created a stand-alone municipal IP authority, introduced rules treating data as intellectual property, and launched a licensing platform that lets companies such as Ele.me experiment with open-innovation models.

Yu said Shanghai is working with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and national IP authorities to expand protection centers and cross-border support services, while aligning with global trade standards and piloting new policy reforms.