Tech for Women's Health: How Startups Can Make a Difference

The Growing Focus on Women’s Health Startups

An increasing number of startups are being established with a focus on reproductive and women’s health. Currently, a significant portion of these ventures concentrate on aspects of women’s fertility, including birth control methods, ovulation tracking, and challenges related to conception.

Historical Biases in Medical Research

Traditionally, medical knowledge has largely been developed from a male perspective, heavily reliant on studies conducted primarily with male participants. Until the early 1990s, women of childbearing potential were frequently excluded from drug trial studies.

This historical exclusion has created an enduring bias within the healthcare system. Further issues include insufficient representation of women in health-related research, the downplaying of women’s physical symptoms – a factor contributing to the delayed diagnosis of conditions like endometriosis – and disparities in research funding, particularly grant allocations.

Funding Disparities at the NIH

Analysis of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding reveals a disproportionate allocation of resources towards diseases predominantly affecting men, often at the detriment of conditions primarily impacting women. A 2019 study examining NIH funding in relation to disease burden demonstrated that illnesses favored by male populations received funding at double the rate of those affecting women.

Endometriosis: A Case Study in Neglect

Consider endometriosis as an illustrative example. This condition involves the growth of endometrial-like tissue – referred to as “lesions” – outside of the uterus.

As endometriosis exclusively affects individuals with a uterus, it has historically received less funding and attention compared to many other medical conditions. The disease can manifest as chronic pain, fatigue, painful sexual intercourse, and infertility.

Despite affecting approximately one in ten women, diagnosis remains a lengthy process, often requiring surgical confirmation. Currently, no non-invasive diagnostic test is available, and a diagnosis is frequently triggered by infertility issues, potentially taking up to a decade to achieve.

Challenges in Understanding and Treating Endometriosis

Even after diagnosis, a comprehensive understanding of the disease’s biological mechanisms and progression remains limited. Similarly, the connections between endometriosis and related conditions, such as adenomyosis, are not fully understood.

Existing treatments primarily involve surgical removal of lesions and medications that suppress ovarian hormone production, particularly estrogen.

Shifting Priorities and NIH Initiatives

Positive changes are underway. The NIH established a dedicated women’s health research category for annual budgeting in 1994, which was updated in 2019 to encompass research exclusively relevant to women.

Recognizing the pervasive male bias in both human and animal studies, the NIH mandated in 2016 that grant applicants include both male and female participants in their research protocols. However, these changes are gradual.

In fiscal year 2018, endometriosis received only $7 million in NIH funding, placing it among the lowest-funded areas of the NIH’s 285 disease/research categories.

Patient and Physician-Driven Innovation

Notably, significant advancements are originating from sources outside traditional funding agencies and the pharmaceutical industry. The impetus for change is largely driven by patients and physicians who regularly encounter these diseases.

Pharmaceutical companies, including Eli Lilly and AbbVie, are responding to patient needs and expanding their research and development efforts beyond reproductive health into other crucial areas of women’s health.

Emerging Technologies and Investment

New technological innovations targeting endometriosis are being funded through private investment. Women’s health emerged as a promising area for investment in 2020.

Examples include:

• NextGen Jane: Raised $9 million in Series A funding in April 2021 for its “smart tampon.”
• DotLab: A non-invasive endometriosis testing startup that secured $10 million in investment last July.
• Phendo: A research-study app designed to track endometriosis.
• Gynica: A company focused on cannabis-based treatments for gynecological conditions.

The Power of Collaboration

The complexity of endometriosis presents a challenge for individual biotech startups. Collaborative efforts are proving to be a valuable approach.

Polaris Quantum Biotech and Auransa have partnered to address endometriosis and other women-specific diseases.

This collaboration leverages data, algorithms, and quantum computing to integrate understanding of disease biology with chemistry. Their ambition extends beyond in silico research, aiming to deliver therapeutics to patients.

Accelerating Progress Through Partnerships

Strategic partnerships have the potential to significantly accelerate advancements in women’s health. Without such coordinated efforts, conditions like endometriosis, triple-negative breast cancer, and ovarian cancer may continue to be overlooked, delaying the development of much-needed treatments.

The Future of Women’s Health Research

Utilizing cutting-edge technologies to study complex women’s diseases will expedite progress and facilitate the rapid advancement of drug candidates into clinical trials, particularly with the support of patient advocacy groups, research organizations, physicians, and innovative funding models like patient crowdfunding.

A Win-Win Opportunity

We believe that investing in the women’s health market presents a mutually beneficial opportunity for both patients and businesses. The global market for endometriosis drugs alone is projected to reach $2.2 billion within the next six years.