Patent Review Reveals 133 Medicinal Mushroom Applications Targeting Cancer, Infections, and Neurodegenerative Disease
- Marc Violo
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Too long to read? Go for the highlights below.
Analysis of 133 patent filings between 2019-2024 shows mushroom-derived compounds targeting 14 therapeutic areas, with anticancer applications representing the largest cluster at 24 patents
Ganoderma and Phellinus genera feature most prominently across filings, with Korea (43 patents), China (39), and the USA (27) leading global patenting activity
Global medicinal mushroom market projected to reach $59.41 billion by 2031 at 8.2% annual growth rate, driven by documented bioactive compounds including polysaccharides, polyphenols, and alkaloids
The global pharmaceutical industry is increasingly mining fungal biology for therapeutic compounds. A comprehensive patent analysis spanning 2019-2024 identifies 133 patent filings disclosing mushroom extracts and bioactive constituents for treating diverse medical conditions, signalling substantial research momentum in an industry segment projected to grow substantially over the coming decade.
Anticancer Focus Dominates Patent Landscape
The largest therapeutic cluster comprises 24 patents claiming anticancer activity. Ganoderma lucidum extract (GLE) features prominently, with multiple filings disclosing β-glucan polysaccharides and triterpenoids that promote apoptosis—programmed cell death—in cancer cells. One USA patent documents selective efficacy against triple-negative breast cancer through 5,6-dehydroergosterol, a purified bioactive compound demonstrating promising half-maximal effective concentration values in laboratory models.
Combination therapies represent a notable trend. Patents filed by Alvit Lcs Pharma Ltd. combine medicinal mushroom extracts with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for pancreatic cancer treatment. Another application by Cannabotech combines cannabinoids with multiple mushroom species as adjunctive therapy for breast cancer. These synergistic approaches reflect a broader pattern wherein inventors combine mushroom compounds with other bioactive agents to achieve enhanced therapeutic effects at reduced dosages.
Polysaccharide compounds extracted from Pleurotus ostreatus, the oyster mushroom, have been claimed for treating multiple cancer types including lung, liver, colon, breast, gastric, and prostate cancers. The patent literature documents that these polysaccharides (termed selenoside-II and selenoside-III when modified with organic selenium) induce cancer cell death while demonstrating minimal toxicity to normal cells.
Beyond Cancer: Expanding Therapeutic Applications
Analysis reveals substantial patent activity in infectious disease prevention and treatment, with 15 patents claiming antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Phellinus igniarius extract has been claimed for treating coronavirus-related conditions, with one patent describing the compound's inhibition of viral replication whilst demonstrating low cytotoxicity in laboratory cell cultures.
Inflammatory conditions feature in 16 patents, targeting diseases ranging from inflammatory bowel disease to atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis. One Korean patent documents Phellinus linteus extract promoting growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria whilst inhibiting pathogenic species, a mechanism relevant to inflammatory bowel disease management. Another composition claims anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of nitric oxide production and inflammatory signalling pathways.
Neurodegenerative conditions and mental health represent an emerging patent focus. Applications describe psilocybin and psilocin from Psilocybe mushrooms in combination with cannabinoids for treating depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Hericium erinaceus (lion's mane) appears in multiple patents targeting cognitive function and central nervous system myelination.
Geographic Distribution and Market Potential
Patent filing activity concentrates in Asia-Pacific regions. Korea leads with 43 filings, followed by China (39) and Japan (9). The USA accounts for 27 patent families, reflecting growing North American interest in medicinal mushroom applications. India and European nations file substantially fewer patents, despite India representing a largely unexploited market for mushroom cultivation and commercialisation.
This geographic distribution aligns with traditional medicine usage patterns, particularly in East Asian healthcare systems where medicinal mushrooms maintain established clinical applications. However, Western pharmaceutical interest is intensifying, evidenced by growing USA and European patent activity.
Challenges in Translating Patent Claims to Clinical Practice
The patent literature reveals expanding therapeutic claims, yet significant gaps persist between intellectual property filings and clinical validation. Patent applicants frequently claim efficacy based on laboratory and animal models, with fewer applications disclosing human clinical trial data. Standardisation of mushroom extracts remains problematic—bioactive compound concentrations vary substantially based on cultivation conditions, species strains, and extraction methodologies.
Regulatory pathways differ markedly across jurisdictions. Whilst medicinal mushroom compositions have gained formal approval in Asian healthcare systems, Western regulatory frameworks typically classify them as dietary supplements or functional foods rather than pharmaceuticals, complicating clinical development pathways.
The projected market growth to $59.41 billion by 2031 reflects commercial confidence in mushroom-derived therapeutics, yet this expansion will require rigorous clinical validation, standardised manufacturing processes, and integrated regulatory approaches to transition patent claims into evidence-based medical applications.
