May is the National Women’s Health Month, a time to raise awareness of women’s health issues and encourage women to prioritize their well-being. “Women's health” usually covers women's unique medical conditions and their disproportionate effects on women. For example, women are more susceptible to depression, osteoporosis and certain autoimmune diseases than men.
Although women make up nearly half of the global population and outnumber men in the United States, women’s health problems are often underserved. Systemic inequalities in healthcare visits, research funding, clinical trial representation and cultural bias persist. As a result, women face differences in diagnosis, treatment, and overall health outcomes across a variety of diseases. Overall, it is estimated that women “spend 25% of their lifespan” compared to men, while nearly one-third of women reported that their doctors dismissed their health problems.
Historically, diseases that affect men have obtained twice as many diseases that affect women.
But change is coming. Recently, the private sector has been increasingly focused on underdeveloped women’s health markets as an opportunity for growth. In 2023, the global “fomtech” market will exceed $50 billion and may exceed $100 billion by 2028. Although there is still a small portion of the funding available, women's health companies have doubled their venture capital from 2019 to 2024.
As attention to women's health issues increases, the number of related patent applications is expected to increase. In fact, the report shows that over the past decade, the number of patent applications related to breast cancer metastasis, endometriosis and infertility diagnostic devices has increased.
Here, we outline recent U.S. patents and applications related to certain women’s health conditions.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. This year, doctors will diagnose more than 350,000 new cases of breast cancer in the United States, with more than 40,000 of which will be fatal. Recent patents are based on long-term therapeutic goals.
- Hormone receptor modulators – Estrogen significantly affects hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer. Therefore, many innovations targeting potential breast cancer drugs target estrogen receptor function.
In April 2025, USPTO awarded US Patent No. 12,275,684, an oral formulation for (Z)-Endoxifen (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). (z) – Moxifen inhibits and may degrade estrogen receptors. Atossa Therapeutics, Inc., the trustee of the patent. The potential of (Z)-moxifen to prevent and treat breast cancer is currently under investigation.
In addition, in March 2025, Havah Therapeutics filed a provisional patent application for the treatment of HR+ breast cancer with androgen receptor agonists (HAV-088). Androgen receptors can reduce the activity of estrogen receptors and reduce tumor response to estrogen.
- vaccine – Scientists have been receiving cancer vaccines for decades. Although the approved breast cancer vaccine may have been several years ago, several vaccines have been clinically tested. Recently, USPTO allowed the patent application of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (No. 2024/0075115) to target vaccines containing human alpha-mildew protein. Proteins commonly expressed during lactation are also present in certain breast cancers.
Depressed
Major depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States. Women have higher prevalence of depression than men, and some reports show that up to one-third of women experience at least once. The latest patents for new therapies bring hope.
- Psychedelic drugs – Psychedelics are being received for treatment of depression. Over the past three months, USPTO has granted three patents to Cybin Inc. (US Patents 12,251,371, 12,240,813 and 12,291,499) related to the use of Psilocybin-derived drugs (CYB003) for severe depression. Last year, the FDA awarded CYB003 the name of the breakthrough therapy, which accelerated its review and development. Cybin Inc. recently announced positive results from the CYB003 clinical trial.
- Biomarkers for treatment – February 2025, Alto Neuroscience, Inc. Adjuvant treatment of Agomelatine is guided in patients who do not respond to traditional antidepressants using electroencephalography (EEG) biomarkers. Agomelatine is a melatonyloagonist and selective serotonin antagonist, approved for use in Australia and Europe.
Endometriosis
In endometriosis, tissues usually lined up into the uterus (endometrium) inside the uterus grow outside the uterus, causing acute pelvic pain and in some cases infertility. About 10% of women suffer from endometriosis. Currently, it is incurable and the diagnosis is difficult. Recent patents require the use of oligonucleotides to diagnose and treat.
- diagnosis – Currently, endometriosis is usually diagnosed by laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia. A non-surgical diagnostic approach is expected to change the field. To this endometriosis, in September 2024, USPTO awarded Yale University Patent No. 12,077,803, a patent targeting the levels of certain microRNAs (miRNAs) in patients' blood to detect endometriosis. The claimed invention may lead to the development of non-invasive diagnostic blood tests.
- RNA Therapy – In October 2024, USPTO awarded AIM Immunotech Inc. US Patent 12,102,649, a therapeutic double-stranded RNA (TDSRNA) product and treatment of endometriosis. The patent states that the claimed TDSRNA alters the microenvironment around endometriosis tissue to relieve symptoms.
Fertility
Infertility was conceived by a year of “failure to achieve pregnancy.” The World Health Organization reports that about one in six adults experience infertility. Recent patents include patents for devices for potential applications in artificial insemination.
- equipment – In January 2025, USPTO published U.S. Patent Application No. 18/794,831 to Inguran, LLC, for systems with high throughput sperm in microfluidic chips. Compared with other methods, chromosomes based on their chromosomes can be used to classify sperm.
In April 2025, USPTO awarded Femasys, Inc. US Patent 12,268,855, which targets artificial insemination devices for the delivery of sperm to the fallopian tube, not the uterus.
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone disease in which the ovaries produce excessive androgens (male sex hormones), resulting in ovarian cysts, irregular menstrual cycles, excess hair growth and infertility. The World Health Organization calls PCOS a “important public health problem” and cannot be cured. Up to 13% of reproductive women suffer from PCOS.
- GLP-1 agonist – People with PCOS often suffer from coexisting diseases, including obesity, insulin resistance, impaired glucose metabolism, hypertension, and an increased risk of diabetes. Therapies claimed in recent patents for GLP-1 agonists may help with PCOS symptoms. For example, Gasherbrum Bio, Inc. At least six U.S. patents against GLP-1 agonists were obtained. The latest US Patent No. 12291,529, was published on May 6, 2025, claiming a class of heterocyclic GLP-1 agonist, which the patent owner recommends that it can be used to treat PCOS in other diseases.
in conclusion
The women's health market offers great potential for investment and innovation. Despite the challenges associated with systemic inequality, the progress in venture capital is encouraging. Similarly, the overall increase in patent applications related to breast cancer, endometriosis and other diseases seems to reflect a growing interest in women's health. Retention and expansion of these hard gains is expected to further increase innovation.
Photo: Fotografabasica, Getty Images
Annaka Nava is a lawyer with Goodwin Procter LLP, specializing in patent litigation. She advises life science companies at all stages of complex patent litigation in the Federal District Court and the International Trade Commission, from pre-litigation investigations and patent portfolios to proceed through trials. Annaka has extensive experience in covering medicines, biotechnology and medical devices. Before practicing the law, Annaka conducted basic scientific research on the genetic causes of breast cancer at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center in Baltimore. She holds a Master of Science in Pathology from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Lana Shiferman is a lawyer with Goodwin Procter LLP, focusing on patent litigation. She has represented clients in all stages of litigation, from pre-trial consultation to trial and appeal. Lana represents the patent owner and patent defendant in federal courts of the National and International Trade Commission. Lana also represents cross-border disputes in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. She litigated cases involving a variety of technologies, including diagnosis, artificial organ tissue, blood sugar monitoring systems and medicines.
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