Insight
Round up: funding for world’s first AI-powered IVF lab, and more
Femtech World explores the latest business and investment developments in the world of women’s health.
Funding supports US launch of world’s first AI-powered, automated IVF lab
Conceivable Life Sciences has raised US$50m to accelerate the development and commercialisation of the world’s first AI-powered automated IVF laboratory.
The funding will help to make the therapy more accessible, scalable and effective at delivering improved pregnancy results.
The Series A round brings Conceivable’s total funding to US$70m, including the company’s US$20m seed round, which closed in December 2022.
AURA utilises robotic precision and AI algorithms to remove variability and standardise more than 200 steps with the aim to deliver consistently successful IVF outcomes.
Conceivable is in active clinical operations and currently conducting a 100-patient pilot study.
The Series A funding will support Conceivable Life Sciences’s US debut next year, expanding its partnerships with fertility networks in 2026, marking the US commercial launch of the world’s first automated IVF lab.
“The fertility industry stands at a critical inflection point where breakthrough innovation will fundamentally expand access to care,” said Alex Christ, general partner at Advance Venture Partners.
“We saw a fragmented landscape of companies building low impact, point solutions for individual IVF processes, but only Conceivable tackling the full end-to-end approach to IVF that truly pushes the industry forward.
“By integrating these complex steps in one system, they’ve revolutionised the IVF lab with technology, engineering and biology at the core.
“Conceivable’s technology will enable the entire sector to deliver fertility care that’s more consistent, scalable, and, most importantly, within reach for the families who need it most.”
Truelli to advance R&D for world’s first menstrual pad with a built-in screening technology
Health tech startup Truelli is to advance its research and development on the world’s first menstrual pad that has a built-in screening technology designed to transform a period into a health checkpoint.
The company is developing a smart pad that analyses menstrual blood; an information-rich yet historically overlooked biomarker.
The technology is designed to routinely assess four key health indicators in women including nutrient levels, hormonal fluctuations, metabolic function and sexual health.
Results are delivered through a mobile application that syncs relevant data and provides actionable insights.
While innovation in women’s health is progressing, its impact is constrained by the lack of physiologically-relevant and robust R&D.
Without sustained investment that enriches our understanding of female-specific biology, real-world application of these innovations is fruitless.” said Dr. Saba Alzabin, Truelli co-founder and CSO.
“At Truelli, we’re transforming overlooked biological signals within the female cycle into tools that can support her healthspan.
“This has far-reaching potential in geographies where systemic and cultural barriers limit care for women and girls.”
NIH grant for endometriosis therapeutic
EndoCyclic Therapeutics has been awarded a National Institute of Health (NIH) Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD.
This funding will accelerate the commercialisation of ENDO-205, a non-hormonal, disease-modifying therapeutic designed to treat endometriosis.
The CRP grant provides late-stage development resources to propel promising therapies toward the clinic.
ENDO-205 employs a pH-sensitive peptide mechanism that selectively eliminates lesions at the site of the disease, while leaving healthy tissue untouched.
This targeted approach allows the drug to fully eliminate lesions across all subtypes of the disease while maintaining a good safety profile.
US$4.5m to Drive US launch of breast surgery platform
Medtech startup Plexāā has raised US$4.5m funding to support the US launch of BLOOM43 – the world’s first fully wearable medical device designed to help patients prepare for breast cancer surgery.
Complication rates in breast surgeries, which can include infection, skin necrosis and the need for additional surgeries, have been recorded as high as 30 per cent.
BLOOM43 utilises Supraphysiological Preconditioning – a new technique that preconditions the skin, causing the release of heat-shock proteins that cause vasodilation and increased blood flow to the area.
According to the company, the process has reduced wound healing complications in proof-of-concept clinical trials and the device has demonstrated substantial improvements in the patient experience and surgical readiness.
Further investment includes over US$1.6m in i4i grant funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and US$1.3m from Thena Capital, a London-based VC firm backed by the British Business Bank.
The company says the funding will also support future innovations.
Berry Fertility launches AI powered tool for patient communications
Berry Fertility, a comprehensive patient-management platform for IVF, IUI, embryo transfer and egg freezing, has launched its AI-powered Smart Compose tool for patient communications.
Smart Compose is designed to integrate into existing workflows and EMRs to support care teams without disrupting day-to-day operations.
It pulls relevant chart details, reviews patient messages and references history to create a message draft that clinical staff can review and tweak before responding to patients.
The tool, which is purpose-built for the unique needs of fertility clinics and care teams, enables decisions and clinical judgment to be human-led.
The agentic AI system uses a “human-in-the-loop” approach, enabling staff to remain in control and review, edit or discard drafts before they are sent to patients.
By drawing on vetted fertility content and a medication database developed by Berry Fertility, the tool is fully customisable to each clinic’s workflows.
To ensure the safeguarding of data, all data remain isolated to ensure workflows are not shared or used to improve any other system, and no AI models are trained on patient data.
Medical partnership launches femtech product for menstrual cramps
Spark Biomedical and Velentium Medical, partners in neuromodulation device development, have partnered to launch OhmBody.
OhmBody is a division of Spark Biomedical that is working to develop a wearable, non-invasive wellness product intended to help reduce cramps and unhealthy amounts of menstrual blood loss.
Spark Biomedical says that the product is also designed to provide support for other disruptive effects of your period like fatigue, gastric discomfort, and emotional fluctuations.
Seven Starling raises US$8m for mental health platform expansion
Seven Starling has raised US$8m in funding to accelerate the national US expansion of its maternal mental health platform.
Currently operating in 18 states, the company plans to expand to over 30 states by the end of 2026.
The expansion will increase access to specialised care for women experiencing mental health challenges during fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and early parenthood.
According to Seven Starling, the platform has seen 90 per cent clinical improvement in patients who complete the programme, showing significant reductions in depression symptoms.
The platform offers automated patient screening technology, one-click referrals and direct EMR integrations.
It also automates critical operational functions including insurance verification, personalised care team assignment and care co-ordination, and utilises AI for administrative workflows.
“We’ve built technology to solve the operational challenges that typically create friction in healthcare delivery,” said Sophia Richter, COO and co-founder of Seven Starling.
Axia Women’s Health launches AI mammograms
Axia Women’s Health will be offering an FDA-cleared AI technology with every mammogram.
The development aims to increase access to earlier and more accurate breast cancer detection.
The technology known as MammoScreen acts as a “second set of eyes” for radiologists providing a dual-read approach to every mammogram.
In retrospective studies, MammoScreen detected 38.5 per cent of screen detectable cancers two years before diagnosis.
Through a partnership with Onsite Women’s Health, MammoScreen is now available across the Axia Women’s Health network, with multiple imaging centers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Indiana.
Each imaging center is located within or near existing Axia OB/GYN care centers, making it more convenient for women to receive the comprehensive care they need.
Black women in the UK want clearer, more accessible breast cancer screening information, research has found.
The study looked at why Black African and Black Caribbean women are less likely than white women to attend breast screening.
Researchers at the University of Surrey held focus groups and interviews with 47 Black African and Black Caribbean women aged 50 to 71.
Women in this age group are routinely invited for NHS breast screening.
The researchers said only 45 per cent of Black women attend screening, compared with 63 per cent of white women.
Anietie Aliu, lead author, postgraduate researcher at the University of Surrey and registered nurse, said: “Diagnosing breast cancer early can dramatically improve a person’s chance of survival.
“Breast cancer screening plays an important role in this by identifying the cancer and ensuring a person receives speedy treatment.
“Despite the importance of screening, Black women are less likely to attend appointments than white females.
“This puts them at risk of a potential cancer being diagnosed late and spreading to other areas of the body. We need to understand what is preventing Black women from attending these appointments and help identify ways to remove such barriers.”
The study found a need to increase awareness of breast cancer screening, especially among women less familiar with the service.
Some women, particularly those born outside the UK, knew little about breast screening before receiving their first invitation.
Others questioned why they needed screening when they had no symptoms.
The importance of trusted conversations was also identified.
Researchers found that some Black women expected their GPs to speak to them about breast screening, particularly before they reached screening age.
Although NHS breast screening is organised through national screening services, researchers said GPs often have established relationships with patients and may be well placed to offer brief advice on preventive care, including breast screening.
Participants called for stronger links between GP practices, breast screening services and Black community champions.
They said this could help women receive trusted information, ask questions and feel reassured.
Faith and religious beliefs also shaped decisions for some women.
Some Black African Christian women said illness, including cancer, was not permitted by God in their bodies, while others saw screening as a personal choice that did not conflict with Christian faith.
Muslim women highlighted the importance of being able to state their religion on medical appointment forms to help ensure they were seen by a female mammographer.
A mammographer is a healthcare professional trained to carry out breast screening scans.
Aliu added: “Breast screening can save lives, but our findings show that attendance is shaped by multiple factors, not just awareness, although awareness remains important.
“Women need relatable screening information, reassurance, flexible appointments and services that are accessible within their communities.
“Many felt that invitation letters were too formal, and that leaflets and media imagery did not reflect them, making it harder to relate to screening.”
Dr Afrodita Marcu, senior research fellow at the University of Surrey and member of the research team, said: “We need a more collaborative approach, where primary care, screening services and community voices work together to support women before, during and after the invitation.”
The researchers said future breast screening interventions should be designed with Black women, rather than for them.
They said user-friendly and culturally relevant resources, developed with communities, healthcare professionals and screening services, could improve understanding, reduce fear and make breast screening feel more accessible and reassuring.
Dr Robert Kerrison, associate professor of cancer care at the University of Surrey, said: “There is no question that breast screening can be lifesaving, but we need to make it easier for women to understand, access and feel reassured by the programme.
“This means improving communication, addressing practical barriers and making sure healthcare professionals and community partners are supported to provide clear and trusted information.”
The team has also explored healthcare professionals’ perspectives and worked with stakeholders to develop user-friendly materials with Black women.
Researchers said this co-designed approach could help ensure breast screening messages are culturally relevant, practical and shaped by the people they are intended to support.
News
“Women’s voices should be heard and pain should never be ignored,” says Wales’s first Women’s Health Minister
Women’s pain should not simply be endured, Wales’s first women’s health minister has said.
Delyth Jewell said she was determined to tackle the normalisation of pain in women’s healthcare and ensure women’s voices are listened to.
Speaking during a Women’s Health Summit at the Temple of Peace on Thursday, July 16, she said: “For too long, women’s health has been treated as an afterthought. No woman should be afraid to speak up about pain or things that don’t feel right.
“Women should be believed about their bodies, and I am determined to change the culture that has let too many women down.”
She added: “Women’s voices helped create the Women’s Health Plan. Now we’re making sure those voices continue to shape what comes next.”
The summit brought together clinicians, researchers and women with lived experience to tackle the normalisation of pain in healthcare and identify how women’s voices can better shape NHS services.
Lived experience means insight from people who have personally gone through a health issue or used healthcare services.
The event focused on pain linked to clinical procedures and long-term health conditions, drawing on research evidence, clinical expertise and women’s personal experiences.
Following the summit, minimum standards for service user engagement will be drafted to ensure women’s voices continue to influence the delivery and future priorities of the Women’s Health Plan.
Service user engagement means involving people who use health services in decisions about how care is designed, delivered and improved.
Work will also begin to refresh and strengthen the plan, including gathering feedback directly from women across Wales.
The NHS Wales Women’s Health Plan was developed after discovery work in 2022, when women across Wales shared their experiences of healthcare.
Many said they had not felt listened to, had symptoms dismissed or had lived with pain for years before receiving a diagnosis.
Hosted by Amanda Ducach, CEO, and Morgan Rose, chief science officer, EmaEQ
Healthcare companies have spent the last two years hearing the same advice: get AI into your product. Few have been told what that actually takes.
Most default to the fastest option. Plug in a general-purpose model, wrap it in a chat window, and call the box checked. It looks like progress on a roadmap slide. It rarely holds up once a real patient is on the other end of it.
We’ve spent years building AI specifically for healthcare, and the lesson that keeps repeating itself is simple: accuracy is not the same thing as trust, and trust isn’t something you bolt on after launch. It has to be part of how the system is built from the first line of code, not a feature added once regulators or users start asking questions.
That distinction is the whole reason clinical accuracy gets treated as a checkbox instead of a discipline. A model can sound confident and still be wrong in ways that matter enormously in a health context.
Knowing the difference, and building for it deliberately, is what separates AI that’s genuinely safe for care from AI that’s simply fast to ship.
On July 20th, we’re hosting a live conversation about exactly this: what companies should be paying attention to before they choose an AI to build with, what clinical accuracy really requires, and the pillars we hold every AI system to before it gets anywhere near a patient’s care.
The Healthcare AI Playbook Webinar: July 20th, 1:30-2pm EST, live on LinkedIn.
Register here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7482643171823509504?viewAsMember=true
If your team is building anywhere near healthcare, or evaluating what’s already in your product, this is the conversation we think the industry needs right now.
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