Femtech World

🚀 Six exciting advances in femtech this week 🚀 💰 Investment in Women’s Health reached US$2.6bn in 2024, shows new report from Silicon Valley Bank 💊 Calla Lily Clinical Care received a $1.29 million in NIHR funding to begin clinical trials for their first use-case: progesterone, a drug that is commonly used for a variety of conditions including infertility, miscarriage prevention, preterm birth prevention, and menopause. 👩💻 Covera Health announced the launch of Protect Her – an AI-powered solution designed to enhance early detection of critical health conditions predominantly impacting women ages 40 and up. 🔍 Vortex Biotech signed a collaborative agreement with the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) to advance clinical investigations in patients with progressive breast cancer. 🩸 Daye announced its Diagnostic Tampon has been selected to be part of the UK NHS Innovation Accelerator. Catch up on all this and more at femtechworld.co.uk #womenshealth #womenshealthmatters #femtech #healthtech #genderhealthgap #research #innovation #healthinequalities #women #medtech #healthequity #investment #funding #tech #femaleleadership #ai 

✅ FDA de novo authorisation for first-ever OTC PCR test for women’s sexual health Diagnostics company Visby Medical has been granted De Novo authorisation for the Visby Medical Women’s Sexual Health Test by the FDA, for over the counter use. The test enables rapid and private at-home testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis — the three most common curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The Visby Medical Women’s Sexual Health Test is the first-ever PCR (polymerase chain reaction)diagnostic device approved by the FDA for OTC home use for any indication. 💬 Adam de la Zerda, founder and CEO of Visby Medical said: "This approval is not just a milestone for Visby Medical but marks a transformative moment in medical diagnostics." Read more: https://lnkd.in/eBQXSySA

💰 Investment in Women’s Health reached US$2.6bn in 2024, shows new report Venture capital investment in women’s health startups has experienced significant growth in recent years, with funding reaching new heights in 2024 according to the latest report from Silicon Valley Bank(SVB). According to SVB’s 2025 Innovation in Women’s Health Report, women’s health investment hit US$2.6bn last year, surpassing 2023’s total by nearly US$1bn. When including funding for related diseases that affect women differently or disproportionately, total investment in the sector rose to US$10.7bn. 💬 Raysa Bousleiman, co-author of the report and senior vice president for Investor Coverage in Life Science and Healthcare at SVB, said: "Investment in women’s health continues to reach new milestones, driven by a growing recognition of the ways in which health conditions impact women differently." Read more: https://lnkd.in/e7_yXASB #womenshealth #womenshealthmatters #femtech #healthtech #genderhealthgap #research #innovation #healthinequalities #women #medtech #healthequity #investment #funding #tech

Calla Lily Clinical Care has received a £1 million ($1.29 million) award of NIHR funding to begin clinical trials for their first use-case: progesterone, a drug that is commonly used for a variety of conditions including infertility, miscarriage prevention, preterm birth prevention, and menopause: https://lnkd.in/euM8Hryg

💡 Researchers use ‘smart’ bomb therapy to destroy breast cancer v The team have combined their expertise to help develop new light-sensitive chemicals called cyanine-carborane salts that are used in photodynamic therapy, or PDT, to destroy metastatic breast cancer tumours in mice with minimal side effects. 💬 Sophia Lunt, a Michigan State University (MSU) professor in biochemistry and molecular biology in the College of Natural Science, said: “Our innovative cyanine-carborane salts offer a targeted option with reduced side effects for patients with aggressive breast cancer. We expect this research will lead to safer and more effective therapies for patients with limited treatment options.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/ehMfqCKG

🧠 INSIGHT: Women have a far higher risk of dementia – and urgent action is needed Recently published research has turned an overdue spotlight on the disproportionate burden of dementia borne by women. It is encouraging to see this research progressing, and inspiring to see it stimulating public awareness and discussion of a disparity that has too long been overlooked: women are twice as likely as men to develop Alzheimer’s disease. 📝 By Andrea Pfeifer, co-founder & CEO AC Immune Read more: https://lnkd.in/ezMeiPxT #womenshealth #womenshealthmatters #femtech #healthtech #genderhealthgap #research #innovation #healthinequalities #women #medtech #healthequity #investment #funding #tech #femaleleadership #dementia

💡 Breakthrough AI solution to advance early detection in women’s health Covera Health has announced the launch of Protect Her – an AI-powered solution designed to enhance early detection of critical health conditions predominantly impacting women ages 40 and up. Protect Her utilises latest advances in radiology AI to identify early signs of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis during routine scans that women are already receiving, such as mammograms, chest CTs, and chest x-rays. Covera Health says the platform can often detect disease before symptoms appear, enabling women to proactively seek timely, and potentially lifesaving care. 💬 Ron Vianu, CEO of Covera Health, said: “Early detection is the single most powerful tool we have to improve health outcomes, particularly for women, who are frequently under-diagnosed in these areas. Protect Her empowers providers with AI-powered insights that can detect serious and life-threatening conditions early, allowing women to get the right care before it’s too late. This is a game-changer for women’s health.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/ehmvnAYi

🔍 Vortex announces clinical study with University of Maryland Baltimore Vortex Biotech has announced a collaborative agreement with the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) to advance clinical investigations of Vortex’s technology alongside UMB’s Tetherchip research in patients with progressive breast cancer. The study will bring together Vortex’s expertise in Circulating Tumour Cells capture and UMB’s innovative cell isolation techniques to offer a comprehensive, high-resolution analysis of CTCs. By isolating CTCs and visualising them through the Tetherchip platform, the research team will gain unprecedented insights into cancer biology. These findings hold the potential to transform cancer treatment, paving the way for more personalised and effective therapies. 💬 Professor Stuart Martin of the University of Maryland Baltimore said: “We are witnessing a paradigm shift in cancer diagnosis and treatment. The integration of precise diagnostics and targeted therapies is leading us into the era of personalised medicine. “The capture and enrichment of Circulating Tumour Cells will be essential to this transformation, and I am excited to collaborate with Vortex to investigate this technology in hopes of integrating it into oncology care.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/eKz_axv5

🩸 Daye diagnostic tampon selected for NHS Innovation Accelerator The Diagnostic Tampon invented by gynaecological health company Daye has been chosen to be part of the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA). The Accelerator recognises innovations that address the NHS’s most urgent priorities and have demonstrated potential for widespread adoption to improve patient outcomes nationwide. The Diagnostic Tampon utilises PCR testing technology to allow women to test for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes 99.8% of cervical cancer cases. 💬 Valentina Milanova 🇺🇦, Founder of Daye, said: “We are closer than ever before to eliminating cervical cancer, but to achieve this HPV screening rates will need to increase beyond current 69% coverage levels. Our technology has the potential to make testing more accessible and appealing to those who have been underserved by traditional methods, while saving costs for the NHS.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/gw5TadB5

🤝 Elvie enters administration, acquired by US start up Willow US startup and breast pump innovator Willow Innovations has acquired UK femtech company Elvie, as Elvie enters into administration. During its 12 years of operations Elvie has developed a number of innovative women’s health technologies such as kegel trainers and breast feeding products, raising more than $186 million in that time. Facing market challenges, strong competition, difficulties with hardware development following Covid-19, and legal challenges from Willow – which sued Elvie over patent disputes – Elvie entered into administration in March. 💬 EO of Willow, Sarah O’Leary, said: “Our goal is to elevate the maternal experience with inventive solutions to support and empower mothers. Acquiring Elvie, a deeply respected innovator in the women’s health category, puts us in a leadership position to continue innovating for moms and drive meaningful, global advancements in women’s and maternal health. We are thrilled to welcome the Elvie brand to the Willow family.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/euSe5qSr