These 3 Female Founders Are Disrupting Healthcare—And You Won't Believe the Results!

At a pivotal moment for women's health, innovation is taking center stage, as highlighted by experts at the recent Women’s Health Innovation Forum. Dr. Helen O’Neill, co-founder of the diagnostic testing company Hertility, emphasized, “We are at a critical point in women's health. We have always needed it, but now people are talking about innovation. Women are having the agency to speak up and demand. And where there is demand, people seek solutions.” This rising demand is not only crucial for health but presents an enormous economic opportunity as well.

A report from McKinsey Health and the World Economic Forum (WEF) identified a staggering disparity in health outcomes between men and women, revealing that women currently spend 25% more time in poor health than their male counterparts. Addressing this gap could inject an estimated $1 trillion into the global economy. The report advocates for increased female-centric research, greater access to gender-specific care, and business policies that cater to women's needs. While female-led life science startups are emerging to tackle these issues, there remain significant hurdles, particularly in securing funding.

Dr. O’Neill pointed out the persistent funding gap affecting science-driven companies focused on women’s health. “The funding situation is not changing,” she observed. “The only change is that people are talking about it and they are talking about the $1 trillion opportunity identified by McKinsey.” However, awareness of this opportunity does not equate to funding, as many venture capital (VC) funds remain predominantly male-dominated. “There is an ignorance about women’s health," Dr. O’Neill stated, "They will put you in front of VCs to pitch, but the people writing the checks are all white-haired men.”

Despite the challenging funding landscape, optimism prevails. The Women's Health Innovation Forum recently showcased 18 startups and investors, signaling a commitment to solving gender inequities in health. The consensus was clear: these businesses have the potential to make a significant impact on women's health.

Public Support for Life Science Innovation

One of the pillars supporting this burgeoning field is the backing from the public sector, particularly in the UK. Government initiatives such as Innovate UK provide crucial funding to startups marrying commercial success with academic rigor. For instance, Hertility has developed GynAI, a diagnostic tool designed to identify various fertility-affecting conditions. This end-to-end service leverages years of research to create predictive algorithms based on medical history, lifestyle, and diet.

Dr. Sioned Jones, co-founder of BoobyBiome, has also focused on groundbreaking research regarding the bacteria present in breast milk. As she explained, these bacteria are essential for preventing conditions like asthma and diabetes later in life. “Everything we do is built on evidence, data, and we will carry out clinical studies ahead of the launch,” said Dr. Jones. The company has already established a biobank of relevant bacteria and is working on developing drops for children.

Early funding for both Hertility and BoobyBiome has been transformative, with Innovate UK playing a pivotal role. Dr. O’Neill recalled how an Innovate UK grant allowed her to be seconded to industry while keeping her academic position.

Dr. Jones noted that rigorous research enhances their appeal to private investors, stating, “We have recently closed a $2.5 million seed round. Being here at Great Ormond Street Hospital, surrounded by midwives and clinicians, you build a support system. Investors see that support system as invaluable.” Hertility has also found success, raising $30 million through a mix of equity and grants, including funding from LocalGlobe and Venrex.

For startups like BoobyBiome, the transition from lab research to a market-ready company requires a viable business model. BoobyBiome plans to launch a device next year that preserves bacteria by removing oxygen from breast milk storage containers, targeting consumers through partnerships with bottle manufacturers. Additionally, they aim to release drops by 2029.

Hertility takes a different approach by selling tests directly to consumers while also partnering with companies like Chanel and Apple to offer their services as workplace benefits.

According to Dr. Pooja Sikka, a venture partner at Cross-Border Impact Ventures, a fund dedicated to women’s, children’s, and adolescent health, the focus on financial sustainability is paramount. “Our thesis is that we want companies with product/market fit and financial sustainability in high-income countries, but they must be able to travel to middle and lower-income countries,” she explained.

Despite the challenges, the interest in women’s health is gathering momentum. “The women's health space is driving a lot of capital into it,” Dr. Sikka noted, adding that women are becoming more self-empowered in asserting their health needs. However, certain issues, such as breastfeeding, still face barriers in VC circles, often due to a lack of empathy or understanding.

To bridge this gap, demonstrating that impact and financial returns can coexist is crucial. “We have a VC/private equity approach, and we negotiate deals in the same way as everyone else,” she affirmed. While the landscape is slowly changing, the need for leadership and catalyzing change remains urgent. U.K. policies are increasingly prioritizing life sciences, supported by public funding. Although a funding gap persists, initiatives are gradually addressing this critical issue.