A study commissioned by Movimento Brasil pela Inovação (Brazil Movement for Innovation) and conducted by Nexus Institute reveals that Brazilians broadly recognize the importance of innovation, patents, and sustained investment in science as key drivers of technological development and healthcare progress.
According to the survey, 83% of respondents believe that the future of healthcare in Brazil depends directly on the pharmaceutical industry’s investment in research and innovation. Despite this perception, awareness remains limited: only one in four Brazilians says they understand how intellectual property rules work in the country.
When informed about the role of patents in enabling technological innovation, public support increases significantly. Approximately 59% support the 20-year patent protection period once they understand its importance in making high-risk, long-term R&D investments viable.
Regulatory efficiency also emerged as a significant concern. Eighty percent of respondents believe that slow and bureaucratic patent registration processes may negatively affect the availability of new medicines in Brazil, highlighting the perceived impact of delays on public health.
The study further explored perceptions regarding changes to patent protection terms:
- 63% believe shortening patent terms could drive healthcare companies out of Brazil;
- 61% say reducing the 20-year protection period discourages R&D for innovative medicines;
- 59% recognize that shorter patent terms reduce access to innovative treatments;
- 63% agree that when patent terms are respected, new treatments reach the population more quickly.
The survey was conducted among 2,005 face-to-face interviews with individuals aged 18 and over across all 27 Brazilian states, between November 14 and 18, 2025. The sample was controlled by gender, age, education level, region, and municipality profile.
The findings reinforce the strategic role of patents in fostering innovation, attracting investment, and advancing technologies that directly impact society.
