KU Leuven leads the Reuters Top 100 of Europe’s Most Innovative Universities. The Leuven based University outperforms Imperial College London and the University of Cambridge.

The high volume of influential inventions helped KU Leuven earned its first place rank. Its researchers submit more patents than almost any other university in Europe, and outside researchers frequently cite KU Leuven inventions in their own patent applications. KU Leuven according to Thomson Reuters has smart specialisation in micro-electronics, nanotechnology and IT.  Moreover the virology and chemotherapy departments are highly looked upon.

Koen Debackere, the managing director of KU Leuven, believes that this success is the result of sustained efforts and both the cooperation with industry and creation of spin-off companies. Debackere points to some very influential discoveries "such as anti-stroke medicins, anti-HIV-drugs, hearing implants, new composite materials and even new fruit variety's like the Kanzi-apple."

Reuters top 100: Most innovative universities in Europe