Based on a large random sample of pending and granted European patents applied for by European UNI/PROs between 2007 and 2018, followed by interviews with the applicants of those patents in the first half of 2019, this study provides a representative analysis of whether and how the patented inventions are exploited. It provides detailed characteristics of UNI/PRO inventions and their patent applications, as well as the technology transfer and licensing offices responsible for their exploitation. It offers a broad assessment of the reasons why exploitation has not yet taken place and sets out the challenges overcome in cases of successful exploitation.