May is 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” generally covers medical conditions unique to women and those that impact women disproportionately. For instance, when compared to men, women are more prone to certain conditions like depression, osteoporosis, and some autoimmune disorders.
Despite women accounting for nearly half of the global population and outnumbering men in the United States, women’s health issues are often underserved. Systemic inequalities in healthcare access, research funding, clinical trial representation, and cultural biases persist. As a result, women face disparities in diagnosis, treatment, and overall health outcomes across a number of diseases. Overall, it is estimated that women “spend 25% more of their lives in poor health” than men, and nearly one third of women report that their doctor has dismissed their health concerns.
Historically, diseases affecting men received twice as much funding as those affecting women.
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But change is coming. Recently, the private sector has increasingly focused on the underdeveloped women’s health market as an opportunity for growth. The worldwide “femtech” market exceeded $50 billion in 2023 and may surpass $100 billion by 2028. And, while still a fraction of available funding, venture capital funding for women’s health companies tripled from 2019 to 2024.
As the focus on women’s health issues increases, the number of related patent filings is expected to increase. In fact, reports suggest growth in the last decade in the number of patent filings related to breast cancer metastasis, endometriosis, and infertility diagnostic devices.
Here, we provide an overview of recent U.S. patents and applications related to certain women’s health conditions.
Breast cancer
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Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in women. This year in the United States, doctors will diagnose over 350,000 new cases of breast cancer, and over 40,000 of those cases will be lethal. Recent patents build on long-standing treatment targets.
- Hormone Receptor Modulators – Estrogen significantly influences hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancers. Thus, many innovations directed to potential breast cancer drugs target estrogen receptor function.
In April 2025, the USPTO granted U.S. Patent No. 12,275,684 directed to oral formulations of (Z)-endoxifen, a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). (Z)-endoxifen inhibits and potentially degrades estrogen receptors. The patent’s assignee, Atossa Therapeutics, Inc., is currently studying (Z)-endoxifen’s potential for preventing and treating breast cancer.
Additionally, in March 2025, Havah Therapeutics filed a provisional patent application related to an androgen receptor agonist (HAV-088) for treating HR+ breast cancers. Androgen receptor may reduce estrogen receptor activity and reduce tumor responsiveness to estrogen.
- Vaccines – Scientists have pursued cancer vaccines for decades. While an approved breast cancer vaccine is likely years away, several vaccines have reached clinical trials. Recently, the USPTO allowed The Cleveland Clinic Foundation’s patent application (Pub. No. 2024/0075115) directed towards a vaccine containing human α-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 rate than men, with some reports suggesting that up to one-third of women experience an episode at least once. Recent patents directed towards new therapies offer hope.
- Psychedelic Drugs – Psychedelics are gaining acceptance for treating depression. In the past three months, the USPTO granted to Cybin Inc. three patents (U.S. Patent Nos. 12,251,371, 12,240,813, and 12,291,499) related to the use of a psilocybin-derived drug (CYB003) for major depression. Last year, the FDA granted CYB003 Breakthrough Therapy Designation, thereby expediting its review and development. Cybin Inc. recently announced positive results from a CYB003 clinical trial.
- Biomarkers for Treatment – In February 2025, Alto Neuroscience, Inc. received U.S. Patent No. 12,226,375 for using electroencephalogram (EEG) biomarkers to guide adjunctive treatment with agomelatine in patients unresponsive to traditional antidepressants. Agomelatine, a melatonin agonist and selective serotonin antagonist, is approved for use in Australia and Europe.
Endometriosis
In endometriosis, tissue that normally internally lines the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus, resulting in acute pelvic pain and, in some cases, infertility. Approximately 10% of women suffer from endometriosis. Presently, there is no cure and diagnosis is difficult. Recent patents claim diagnostics and treatments using oligonucleotides.
- Diagnostics – Currently, endometriosis is typically diagnosed through laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia. A non-surgical method of diagnosis promises to revolutionize the field. Towards that end, in September 2024, the USPTO granted to Yale U.S. Patent No. 12,077,803 directed towards detecting endometriosis based on the level of certain micro RNAs (miRNAs) in a patient’s blood. The claimed invention may lead to the development of a non-invasive diagnostic blood test.
- RNA Therapies – In October 2024, the USPTO granted to AIM ImmunoTech Inc. U.S. Patent No. 12,102,649, directed towards therapeutic double-stranded RNA (tdsRNA) products and methods for treating endometriosis. The patent states that the claimed tdsRNA alters the microenvironment surrounding endometriosis tissue to reduce symptoms.
Fertility
Infertility is defined by the “failure to achieve a pregnancy” after one year of trying to conceive. The World Health Organization reports that about one in six adults experiences infertility. Recent patents include those for devices with potential applications in artificial insemination.
- Devices – In January 2025, the USPTO published Inguran, LLC’s U.S. Patent Application No. 18/794,831 directed towards systems for high throughput sorting of sperm in a microfluidic chip. The claimed system may be used to sort sperm according to chromosomes with less damage to sperm compared to other methods.
In April 2025, the USPTO granted to Femasys, Inc. U.S. Patent No. 12,268,855 directed to an artificial insemination device for the delivery of sperm into the fallopian tubes, rather than the uterus.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder where the ovaries produce excess androgens (male sex hormones), leading to ovarian cysts, irregular menstrual cycles, excess hair growth, and infertility. The World Health Organization calls PCOS “a significant public health problem” for which there is no cure. Up to 13% of reproductive-aged women suffer from PCOS.
- GLP-1 Agonists – Patients with PCOS frequently suffer from coexisting conditions, including obesity, insulin resistance, impaired glucose metabolism, hypertension, and an increased risk of diabetes, among others. Therapies claimed in recent patents directed to GLP-1 agonists may help combat PCOS symptoms. For example, Gasherbrum Bio, Inc. has received at least six U.S. patents directed towards GLP-1 agonists. The most recent, U.S. Patent No. 12,291,529, issued May 6, 2025 and claims a class of heterocyclic GLP-1 agonists, which the patentee suggests may be used to treat PCOS among other diseases.
Conclusion
The women’s health market offers enormous potential for investment and innovation. While challenges related to systemic inequalities remain, progress in venture capital funding is encouraging. Likewise, the overall increase in patent filings related to breast cancer, endometriosis, and other conditions appears to reflect a growing interest in women’s health. Preserving and expanding these hard-fought gains promises to further increase innovation.
Photo: FotografiaBasica, Getty Images
Annaka Nava is a lawyer at Goodwin Procter LLP specializing in patent litigation. She advises life sciences companies in all stages of complex patent litigations in federal district courts and the International Trade Commission, from pre-suit investigations and patent portfolio analyses through trial. Annaka has extensive experience in matters covering pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices. Prior to practicing law, Annaka conducted primary scientific research on the genetic causes of breast cancer at The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center in Baltimore. She holds a master’s degree in pathobiology from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Lana Shiferman is a lawyer at Goodwin Procter LLP focusing on patent litigation. She has represented clients in all phases of litigation from pre-litigation counseling through trial and appeal. Lana has represented both patent owners and patent defendants in federal courts throughout the country and at the International Trade Commission. Lana has also represented clients in trans-border disputes in countries such as the UK, Germany, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. She has litigated cases involving a broad range of technologies including diagnostics, artificial organ tissue, blood glucose monitoring systems and pharmaceutical products.
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