Women's Health
An upcoming US FDA advisory panel meeting will discuss adding a new indication to allow dermal fillers to be used in the upper chest, or décolletage. Plastic surgeons expect this could drive interest in the procedure, which is already performed off-label.
Thena Capital, the first UK-based early-stage specialist medtech firm, has made its first investment since closing its £50m fund. Medtech Insight spoke with general partner Pamela Walker Geddes to gain insight into Thena Capital’s investment strategy.
NHS England will offer at-home cervical cancer self-testing kits to people who are overdue for routine screening by six months. The Department of Health and Social Care identified four HPV collection and testing combinations with highest accuracy.
Cecilia Lindgren, Aneira Health’s co-founder and chief science officer, said that the company has “redesigned the diagnostic model.” The subscription-based platform offers clinical-grade and AI diagnostics alongside clinical consultation.
DeepLook Medical recently announced the commercial rollout of DL Precise, an AI-powered imaging platform that enhances breast cancer screening, at major healthcare institutions across the US.
Clairity’s "first-in-class" mammography-based AI screening tool, Clairity Breast, provides "equitable risk assessments," expanding access to lifesaving early detection for breast cancer, said company founder Connie Lehman.
FemTech leaders discussed some of the barriers that remain in unlocking the full potential of the women’s health market during SiS New York last week. They also offered solutions.
Mirvie launched Encompass, a blood test to help identify women over age 35 who are at moderate risk for preeclampsia, and will conduct additional studies to support reimbursements from payers.
Flo Health was the first femtech unicorn to be valued at over $1bn. But the company faced 49 investment rejections before reaching that status, Anna Klepchukova, the company’s chief medical officer, told the LSX World Congress Europe. THENA Capital’s Esther Reynal de St Michel Richardot talked through the firm’s gender-smart investment strategy.
The US FDA has approved the Teal Wand, the first at-home cervical cancer screening device. Capable of detecting preclinical cancer with 96% accuracy, it will launch in California in June and expand nationwide soon after.
SS Innovations announced plans to file a de novo application with the US FDA for its SSi Mantra 3 surgical robot, already approved for marketing in six countries. The Florida-based firm also plans to pursue the CE mark for European commercialization.
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness month, Sarah Jenkins, executive director at the National Association for Continence, discussed the mental health issues that often come with incontinence.
Health tech is at the forefront of the women's health sector, securing 38% of venture capital in 2024. However, panelists at the Anglonordic Life Science Conference held 3 April asserted that a successful therapeutic breakthrough is key to gaining investor confidence and accelerating venture capital.
The Visby Medical Women’s Sexual Health Test is the first over-the-counter test cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration to detect chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis. It delivers results in about 30 minutes.
Only 16% of venture capital general partners in Europe are women, and only 9% of those have actual investment power. Thena Capital is aiming to "redefine the image of a venture capitalist."
Medtech Insight sat down with Anja Streicher, chief marketing officer at Women of Wearables, a global community offering events and education resources to support the femtech industry, to discuss trends in the women's wearables tech market, challenges and innovators pushing the boundaries.
Wearable technology must address women’s unique needs, said Anja Streicher, Women of Wearables chief marketing officer. Samphire Neuroscience and Amira Health demo wearable solutions for PMS and hot flashes at Wired Health.