Vitamin D patents: The University of Wisconsin has the most in the world

Clipped from Wikipedia

In 1923, Harry Steenbock and James Cockwell discovered exposure to ultraviolet light increased the Vitamin D concentration in food. After discovering that irradiated rat food cured the rats of rickets, Steenbock sought a patent. Steenbock then assigned the patent to the newly established Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. WARF then licensed the technology to Quaker Oats for use in their breakfast cereals. In addition, WARF licensed the technology for use as a pharmaceutical, Viosterol. WARF's commercialization of Vitamin D culminated in its enrichment of milk.

– – –clipped out –

Through innovations from Hector DeLuca, Vitamin D continues to be a large percentage of WARF's income, around 70%.

From WARF web page

Vitamin D Research at UW–Madison

WARF founder Harry Steenbock WARF and UW-Madison have a long history of outstanding work with vitamin D. The licensing and commercial development of a vitamin D discovery made by UW-Madison biochemist Harry Steenbock is WARF's first success story. Steenbock founded WARF as a result of his 1923 breakthrough discovery that irradiating foods with ultraviolet light increased their vitamin D content. His discovery virtually eliminated rickets, a crippling bone disease of children caused by vitamin D deficiency.

List of Vitamin D compound uses, some with patents

P02091US: (20S)-1Alpha-Hydroxy-2-Methylene-19-Nor-Vitamin D3 and its Uses

P02112US: (20S)-1Alpha-Hydroxy-2Alpha-Methyl and 2Beta-Methyl-19-Nor-Vitamin D3 and Their Uses

P96198US: 18-substituted-19-nor- Vitamin D Compounds

P01381US: 1Alpha-Hydroxy-2-Methylene-19-Nor-Homopregnacalciferol and Its Potential Therapeutic Uses

P02178US: 1Alpha-Hydroxy-2-Methylene-19-Nor-Pregnacalciferol

P97010US: 2-Alkyl-19-Nor-Vitamin D Compounds

P99011US: 2-Alkyl-19-Nor-Vitamin D Compounds

P97011US: 2-Alkylidene-19-Nor-Vitamin D Compounds

P00352US: 2-Ethyl and 2-Ethylidene-19-Nor-Vitamin D Compounds

P05147US: 2-Methylene-18,19-Dinor-1Alpha-Hydroxy-Homopregnacalciferol

P05159US: 2-Methylene-19,21-Dinor-1Alpha-Hydroxy-Bishomopregnacalciferol

P04067US: 2-Methylene-19-Nor--20(S)-25-Methyl-1Alpha-Hydroxycalciferol and its Uses

P05148US: 2-Methylene-19-Nor-1Alpha-Hydroxy-17-Ene-Homopregnacalciferol

P97032US: 20-Epi-19-Nor-Vitamin D Compounds

P93077US: 26,28-Methylene-1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D2 Compounds

P95012US: Calcitriol Derivatives and Their Uses with patent

P98199US: Calcitriol Derivatives for the Treatment of Osteoporosis

P01050US: Crystalline 1 Alpha-Hydroxyvitamin D2 and Method of Purification

P99126US: Crystalline 1 Alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2 and Method of Purification Thereof

P91071US: Intermediates for the Synthesis of 19-Nor Vitamin D Compounds

P98010US: Method of Locking 1 Alpha-OH of Vitamin D Compounds in Axial Orientation

P91087US: Method of Producing 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Receptor Protein

P95199US: Method of Synthesizing 9-Cis-Retinoic Acid

P95123US: Method of Treating Proliferative Skin Disorders with 19-Nor-Vitamin D Compounds

P06394US: Methods for Reducing Body Fat Using Vitamin D Compounds with patent

P94137US: Novel Synthesis of 19-Nor Vitamin D Compounds

P95126US: Preparation of 19-Nor Vitamin D Compounds

P95116US: Synthesis of 19-nor Vitamin D Compounds

P95057US: The Preparation of 1alpha-Hydroxyvitamin D3

P03426US: Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease with 2-methylene-19-nor Vitamin D Compounds

P00062US: Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosis

P00385US: Treatment Of T-cell Immunodeficiencies With Vitamin D Compounds

P01018US: Use of 2Alpha-Methyl-19-Nor-20(S)-1 Alpha, 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 to Increase Bone Strength

P98272US: Use of Vitamin D Compounds to Prevent Transplant Rejection

P04081US: Vitamin D Receptor Antagonists for the Treatment of Asthma


U of Wisconsin Vitamin D patents- Perplexity AI 2025

📄 Perplexity PDF


U of Wisconsin is the world's largest holder of Vitamin D patents: 160+

📄 Perplexity PDF


See also Vitamin D Life

Tags: Patent