Thomson Reuters revealed its 2015 Top 100 Global Innovators today. For the fifth consecutive year, the financial performance of the Top 100 Innovators has beat the financial performance of the companies that comprise leading financial indices, which reinforces the benefits of increased R&D investment patent protection.

Specifically, the 2015 Top 100 Innovators outperformed the MSCI World Index in revenue by 6.01 percentage points, employment by 4.09 percentage points, and market-cap-weighted R&D spend by 1.86 percentage points. MediaTek is honored for the second year running.

Although, Asia continues to lead the world in innovation with 44 organizations, but has lost market share to Europe, which has increased its presence from 18 to 20.

China is also noticeably absent this year after making its first appearance in 2014. The nation continues to evolve its intellectual property infrastructure with record-breaking numbers of domestic patents, but further efforts to attain global patents will be essential to advancing its impact and influence within the innovation landscape.

The 2015 study revealed significant industry and regional shifts, proving that “survival of the fittest” is now “survival of the broadest” as companies seek to expand their portfolios. Bayer Pharmaceuticals, for example, makes its first appearance on the list since 2011 with its expansion into crop science. Another industry shift was seen in chemicals, where small molecules are being used in new ways relative to cosmetics, food chemistry and flavorings.

Thomson Reuters highlighted that the semiconductor sector once dominated the list, and while it continues to play a critical role in digital development, including the Internet of Things, global innovation has dramatically slowed due to the utilization of new technologies to enhance the speed and functionality of computers.

“In today’s hypercompetitive global marketplace, innovation requires much more than having a great idea. True innovation occurs when organizations harness the power of intellectual property rights and commercial insight to bring an idea to life,” said Dave Brown, senior vice president, Thomson Reuters IP &Science.

“This is the potent formula we apply to our Top 100 Global Innovator program. The institutions on this year’s list represent the current vanguard in innovation by pioneering new breakthroughs and organizing their businesses to make new discoveries a reality.”