Alphabet, Microsoft and Apple have filed more than 300 healthcare patents between 2013 and 2017 — revealing the tech giants' increasing desire to disrupt the healthcare space, according to a new report by Ernst & Young.
Here are five things to know.
1. Between 2013 and 2017, Google's parent company Alphabet filed 186 patents, Microsoft filed 73 and Apple filed 54.
2. Alphabet's patents mainly focused on investments for DeepMind, its artificial intelligence startup, and Verily Life Sciences, its healthcare and disease research arm.
3. Apple, on the other hand, filed patents to turn its iPhone into a medical device that can monitor biometric data such as blood pressure and body fat levels. In addition, it partnered with Stanford (Calif.) University to develop algorithms to predict abnormal heart rates.
4. Based on the filed patents analyzed by E&Y, Microsoft is focusing on expanding its AI capabilities and developing monitoring devices for chronic conditions.
5. As a result of these disruptors and tech advancements, many biopharma, medtech and providers have responded with digital partnerships and pilot programs of their own.
Read the full report here.