Dare Bioscience Inc.’s shares jumped 2.80% on Monday after the US Patent and Trademark Office granted a new patent for its human papillomavirus (HPV) treatment program on July 14, 2026. The patent, titled “Lopinavir and Ritonavir for Treating Cervical Disorders,” was awarded to Douglas Pharmaceuticals Limited, which has licensed it to Dare Bioscience.
Treatment Details and Patent Protection
The patent covers pharmaceutical compositions containing lopinavir and ritonavir for topical application to treat HPV-related cervical diseases. This grant provides protection until at least 2039. According to a report by Investing.com, the patent expands the intellectual foundation for DARE-HPV, a fixed-dose combination drug currently under development.
DARE-HPV combines lopinavir and ritonavir in a soft gel vaginal suppository. It is being developed as a potential treatment for persistent high-risk HPV infections. Dare Bioscience holds an exclusive US license for this patent under an agreement made in 2023 with Douglas Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Clinical Trials and Financial Backing
The DARE-HPV program is currently being evaluated in a Phase II clinical trial involving approximately 100 women with confirmed persistent high-risk HPV infections. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aims to assess the safety and antiviral activity of DARE-HPV compared to a placebo over a 21-day treatment period. Results are expected in 2027.
The program has received significant financial backing, including a $10,000,000 grant from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) as part of the "Sprint for Women’s Health" award.
Addressing a Significant Unmet Medical Need
Currently, there are no FDA-approved drug treatments for HPV infections. Approximately six million women in the United States are affected by high-risk HPV infections annually. The development of effective treatments like DARE-HPV addresses this significant unmet medical need.
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