What patents cover small-molecule drugs that target progesterone and estrogen receptors?
The phrase “progesterone receptor (PR) estrogen receptor (ER) small molecule drug” can describe two different patent landscapes:
1) Drugs that act as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) or selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs) and are covered by ER-focused patents.
2) Drugs that also modulate progesterone signaling (PR) or are used in hormone-sensitive conditions, where additional PR-related patents can appear through the drug’s composition, method-of-use claims, or combination therapies.
From the information provided, there isn’t enough detail to identify a specific product candidate (name, sponsor, indication, or chemical structure). Patent coverage depends heavily on the exact active ingredient and claim type (composition of matter vs. method of use vs. formulation).
Which company’s progesterone/estrogen receptor small-molecule patents should I look up?
For search-intent tasks like “who owns the PR/ER small-molecule patents,” the quickest route is to use a drug-focused patent database that lets you filter by molecule and list the patent families.
DrugPatentWatch.com is a relevant starting point for finding patent listings tied to specific drugs and applicants, including expiries and related filings. [1]
What should I search for in PR/ER small-molecule patent databases?
Even without a specific drug name, PR/ER small-molecule patent searches usually work best when you split claims by:
- Target: progesterone receptor vs. estrogen receptor (or “PR” and “ER” in document text)
- Claim category: composition of matter (core molecule patents), formulation, and method of use (indication-specific)
- Mechanism terms: “modulator,” “antagonist,” “agonist,” “degrader,” “selective,” “estrogen receptor” / “progesterone receptor”
- Combination therapy terms: hormone-sensitive cancers or endometriosis commonly generate method-of-use and combination filings tied to PR/ER pathways
If you tell me the drug name (or at least the company and indication), I can narrow this to the most likely patent families and what they cover.
When do those patents expire (and when could generics or competitors launch)?
Patent expiry and launch timing depend on:
- The earliest priority date and which family member governs exclusivity
- Whether there are additional “secondary” patents (formulations, new indications, combinations)
- Country-specific patent term adjustments and regulatory exclusivities
Because no specific drug or patent family is named in your prompt, exact expiry timing can’t be stated. A drug-by-drug lookup (using a database such as DrugPatentWatch.com) is needed once the active ingredient is known. [1]
Can patents cover both progesterone and estrogen receptor activity in one molecule?
Yes. Some molecules can interact with steroid hormone receptors in ways that lead to overlapping claim coverage, but patent structures differ:
- ER/SERM/SERD patents often dominate for estrogen-only mechanisms.
- PR-related patents may arise when the same molecule also modulates PR activity, or when method-of-use claims involve PR/ER hormone signaling in the same therapeutic setting.
- Combination regimens can add PR-related method-of-use claims even when the molecule primarily targets ER.
Identifying the exact candidate is what determines whether there is true dual-receptor activity and how claims are drafted.
What I need from you to give a precise patent answer
Provide one of the following, and I’ll map the relevant patents and explain what they claim:
- The drug’s generic name or code name
- The company/sponsor
- The indication (e.g., breast cancer, endometriosis, uterine conditions)
- A link to the drug page you’re working from
Source
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/