May is the national month of women’s health, the time to educate women’s health problems and encourage women to prioritize their well-being. “Women’s health” generally covers the medical conditions specific to women and those who have an impact on women disproportionately. For example, compared to men, women are more prone to certain conditions such as depression, osteoporosis and certain autoimmune disorders.
Despite women representing almost half of the world’s population and exceeding men in the United States, women’s health problems are often in hand. Systemic inequalities in access to health care, funding for research, representation of clinical trials and cultural biases persist. Consequently, women face disparities in diagnosis, treatment and overall health results in a number of diseases. Overall, it is estimated that women “spend 25% more from their lives in poor health” than men, and almost a third of women report that their doctor has rejected their health problems.
Historically, diseases affecting men have received twice as much funding as those affecting women.
But change is coming. Recently, the private sector has become more and more concentrated in the health market of underdeveloped women as an opportunity for growth. The global “Femtech” market exceeded $ 50 billion in 2023 and can exceed $ 100 billion by 2028. And, although a fraction of available financing, funding for women’s health companies has tripled from 2019 to 2024.
As the emphasis on women’s health problems increases, the number of related patent deposits should increase. In fact, the reports suggest growth over the past decade of the number of patent deposits linked to the metastases of breast cancer, endometriosis and diagnostic devices of infertility.
Here, we give an overview of recent American patents and applications linked to certain women’s health conditions.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. This year, in the United States, doctors will diagnose more than 350,000 new cases of breast cancer, and more than 40,000 of these cases will be fatal. Recent patents are based on long -standing treatment goals.
- Hormonal receiver modulators – Estrogens significantly influence the positive breast cancers of the hormonal receiver (HR +). Thus, many innovations led by potential drugs on breast cancer target the function of estrogen receptors.
In April 2025, the USPTO granted the American patent n ° 12 275 684 intended for the oral formulations of (Z) -Endoxifen, a selective modulator of the estrogen receptors (SERM). (Z) -Endoxifen inhibits and potentially degrades estrogen receptors. The assignee of the patent, Atossa Therapeutics, Inc., is currently studying the potential of (Z) -Endoxifen to prevent and treat breast cancer.
In addition, in March 2025, Havah Therapeutics filed a provisional patent application linked to an androgens receptor agonist (HAV-088) to treat HR +breast cancers. The androgens receptor can reduce the activity of estrogen receptors and reduce tumor reactivity to estrogens.
- Vaccines – Scientists pursue cancer vaccines for decades. Although an approved breast cancer vaccine is probably in years, several vaccines have reached clinical trials. Recently, the USPTO has enabled the Cleveland Clinic Foundation patent application (Pub. No. 2024/0075115) directed to a vaccine containing human-lactalbumin protein. This protein, normally expressed during lactation, is also present in certain breast cancers.
Depression
Major depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States. Women suffer from depression at a higher pace than men, some reports suggest that up to a third of women experience an episode at least once. Recent patents directed towards new therapies offer hope.
- Psychedelic drugs – Psychedelics are accepted for the treatment of depression. In the past three months, the USPTO has granted Cybin Inc. Three Patets (US Patent Nos. 12 251 371, 12 240 813 and 12 291,499) related to the use of a drug derived from psilocybin (Cyb003) for major depression. Last year, the FDA granted the designation of revolutionary therapy of the CYB003, thus accelerating its examination and its development. Cybin Inc. recently announced positive results of a CYB003 clinical trial.
- Biomarkers for treatment – In February 2025, Alto Neuroscience, Inc. received the American patent n ° 12 22 226 375 for the use of electroencephalogram biomarkers (EEG) to guide additional treatment with agomelatin in patients who do not respond to traditional antidepressants. Agomelatin, a melatonin agonist and selective serotonin antagonist, is approved for use in Australia and Europe.
Endometriosis
In endometriosis, the tissues that normally line internally the uterus (endometrium) grow outside the uterus, causing acute pelvic pain and, in some cases, infertility. About 10% of women suffer from endometriosis. Currently, there is no remedy and the diagnosis is difficult. Recent patents require diagnostics and treatments using oligonucleotides.
- Diagnosis – Currently, endometriosis is generally diagnosed by laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia. A non -surgical diagnostic method promises to revolutionize the field. To this end, in September 2024, the USPTO granted to the American patent of Yale n ° 12 077,803 addressed to the detection of endometriosis based on the level of certain micro-arn (Miarn) in the blood of a patient. The claimed invention can lead to the development of a non -invasive diagnostic blood test.
- RNA Therapies – In October 2024, the USPTO granted AIM Immunotech Inc. US PAENT N ° 12 102 649, directed to double -bit therapeutic products (TDNA) and endometriosis treatment methods. The patent indicates that the pretended TDNA modifies the microenvironment surrounding the tissue of endometriosis to reduce symptoms.
Fertility
Infertility is defined by “the failure of a pregnancy” after a year trying to conceive. The World Health Organization reports that around one in six adults knows infertility. Recent patents include those of devices with potential applications in artificial insemination.
- Devices – In January 2025, the USPTO published Inguran, the US patent application from LLC n ° 18/794 831 directed to systems for high speed sperm sorting in a microfluidic chip. The claimed system can be used to sort sperm depending on the chromosomes with less damage to sperm compared to other methods.
In April 2025, the USPTO granted to FEMASSYS, American Inc. PAENT N ° 12 268 855 addressed to an artificial insemination device for the delivery of the sperm in the Fallone tubes, rather than the uterus.
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (SOPK) is a hormonal disorder where ovaries produce an excess of androgens (male sex hormones), leading to ovarian cysts, irregular menstrual cycles, excessive hair growth and infertility. The World Health Organization calls the SOPK “an important public health problem” for which there is no remedy. Up to 13% of reproductive women suffer from sopk.
- GLP -1 agonists – Patients with sopk frequently suffer from coexisting conditions, including obesity, insulin resistance, altered glucose metabolism, hypertension and increased risk of diabetes, among others. The therapies asserted in recent patents directed towards GLP-1 agonists can help fight the symptoms of the SOPK. For example, Gasherbrum organic, Inc. received at least six American patents directed to GLP-1 agonists. The most recent American patent n ° 12 291 529, published on May 6, 2025 and claims a class of heterocyclical GLP-1 agonists, which suggests that patented can be used to treat SOPK among other diseases.
Conclusion
The women’s health market offers enormous investment and innovation potential. Although the challenges linked to systemic inequalities remain, the progress of the funding of venture capital is encouraging. Likewise, the overall increase in patents of breast cancer patents, endometriosis and other conditions seems to reflect an increasing interest in the health of women. The preservation and expansion of these hard -disputed gains promises to further increase innovation.
Photo: Photographybasic, Getty Images
Annaka Nava is a lawyer at Goodwin Procter LLP specializing in patent disputes. She advises life societies at all stages of complex patent litigation before the courts of federal district and the International Commerce Commission, preheating surveys and patent portfolio analyzes by trial. Annaka has a large experience in terms covering pharmaceutical products, biotechnology and medical devices. Before practicing law, Annaka conducted primary scientific research on the genetic causes of breast cancer at Sidney Kimmel understanding Cancer Center in Baltimore. She holds a master’s degree in pathobiology of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Lana Shiferman is a lawyer for Goodwin Procter LLP by focusing on patent disputes. It represented customers in all the phases of the disputes of the pre-closed council by trial and call. Lana represented both patent owners and patent defendants before the federal courts across the country and the International Trade Commission. Lana has also represented clients in cross-border disputes in countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. It pleaded cases involving a wide range of technologies, including diagnosis, artificial organ tissues, blood sugar surveillance and pharmaceutical products.
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