💊 Nice Class 5: Pharmaceuticals & Supplements
The EUIPO register holds 274,371 trademarks in Class 5, the class for medicines, dietary supplements and other health products (as of July 2026). (as of July 2026).
274,371
Marks in the EU register
152,468
Registered with the EUIPO
-1 %
Growth 2020–2024
66 %
Word mark share
Class 5 is one of the truly big goods classes: it covers pharmaceutical preparations, dietary supplements, disinfectants and much of what else keeps people healthy. The EUIPO register holds 274,371 trademarks in Class 5, of which 152,468 are registered (as of July 2026, EUIPO register data). Growth, however, is remarkably flat: new registrations stood at 14,313 in 2020 and 14,131 in 2024, a 1 percent decline, with 14,473 added in 2025. The class is barely growing, but it has been filled at a consistently high rate for years, and the register is correspondingly crowded. The top filers read like a who's who of the pharmaceutical industry: Novartis leads with 3,179 trademarks, ahead of the Glaxo Group (2,004), Eli Lilly (1,060), AstraZeneca (1,014) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (913). The share of word marks stands out at 66 percent: in this class, the name is everything, and pharma names tend to follow similar syllable and suffix patterns. That is exactly where the risk lies for founders, because Class 5 is not just for medicines. Supplements, vitamins and protein preparations from young brands end up here too.
What belongs in Class 5?
Class 5 covers pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations, sanitary preparations for medical purposes, dietetic food, dietary supplements, food for babies, plasters and dressings, and disinfectants. What matters is the medical or health-related purpose. For the boundaries: cosmetics without a medical claim belong in Class 3, medical devices and instruments in Class 10, and ordinary food in Classes 29 and 30.
Typical examples: Pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, plasters, disinfectants
New EUIPO registrations per year in Class 5
Most active applicants in Class 5
| # | Applicant | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Novartis Ag | 3,179 |
| 2 | Glaxo Group Limited | 2,004 |
| 3 | Eli Lilly And Company | 1,060 |
| 4 | Astrazeneca Ab | 1,014 |
| 5 | Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | 913 |
| 6 | The Procter & Gamble Company | 912 |
| 7 | Johnson & Johnson | 870 |
| 8 | Stada Arzneimittel Ag | 733 |
| 9 | Bayer Intellectual Property Gmbh | 705 |
| 10 | Boehringer Ingelheim International Gmbh | 694 |
Word mark or figurative mark?
Often combined with
First check whether your product really belongs in Class 5 or in a neighbouring class: in practice, Class 5 is most often combined with Class 3 (cosmetics and skincare), Class 10 (medical devices) and Class 35 (retail and online sales). Before filing, search thoroughly for similar-sounding names, not just identical ones, because the high share of word marks makes Class 5 a minefield for late filers. And plan your product roadmap into the filing: if you sell a supplement today and launch a skincare line tomorrow, you need 5 and 3 from the start, since the list of goods and services cannot be extended later.
Common mistakes with Class 5
The classic founder mistake involves supplements: many instinctively place their vitamins or protein preparations with food in Class 29 or 30, but supplements actually belong in Class 5. Second mistake: the line to cosmetics. A skincare cream falls under Class 3, the same cream with a medical claim under Class 5, and anyone marketing both should file both classes. Third, the choice of name: with 66 percent word marks and a register that has been filling up steadily for years, the risk of collision in Class 5 is high, especially since many health brands draw on the same Greek and Latin building blocks. On top of that, confusion between health products is judged strictly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What belongs in Nice Class 5?
Class 5 covers pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations, dietary supplements, dietetic food, food for babies, plasters, dressings and disinfectants. The medical or health-related purpose is what counts. Cosmetics without a medical claim belong in Class 3 instead, and medical devices in Class 10.
Do dietary supplements belong in Class 5?
Yes. Supplements, vitamins and protein preparations fall under Class 5 as dietary supplements, not under the food classes 29 and 30. If you also sell sports foods such as bars or shakes, add the appropriate food classes on top.
Who files the most trademarks in Class 5?
According to EUIPO register data (as of July 2026), Novartis leads with 3,179 trademarks, ahead of the Glaxo Group (2,004), Eli Lilly (1,060), AstraZeneca (1,014) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (913). Big pharma traditionally protects every product name as its own trademark, which is why the register is so densely populated.
Which classes are typically combined with Class 5?
Most often Class 3 for cosmetics and skincare, Class 10 for medical devices, and Class 35 for retail and online sales. A supplement startup with its own shop covers the basics with 5 and 35, adding Class 3 once skincare products join the range.
Sources
EUIPO – European Union Intellectual Property Office: register data on EU trade marks and international registrations with EU protection, as of July 2026.
WIPO – Nice Classification: class definitions and headings (11th edition).
Methodology: own analysis by markencheck.ai; counted per filing entity, name variants merged.
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