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Start-up raises US$25m to develop treatment for PCOS-related infertility

The treatment works by lowering androgen production, which can restore ovulation in women with PCOS

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The medical device start-up May Health has raised US$25m in funding to develop an “innovative” treatment to restore ovulation in women with PCOS.

PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility, affecting 10 per cent of women globally.

In women with PCOS, there is a local disregulation of androgens as compared to oestrogens in the ovary, leading to inconsistent ovulation.

The condition is also associated with increased insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

May Health’s investigational treatment works by lowering androgen production, which can restore ovulation.

The one-time in-office procedure aims to induce ovulation through targeted ablation of ovarian tissue using radiofrequency energy.

The financing round, co-led by Bpifrance and Trill Impact, is hoped to advance the company’s therapy through a clinical study which will evaluate the treatment’s potential to address PCOS-related infertility.

“This financing allows May Health to continue delivering upon our mission to become a leader in global women’s health and transform treatment for patients with PCOS,” Anne Morrissey, CEO of May Health, told Femtech World.

“We are very grateful to each of the investors who have continued to support us on our journey to offer more for women living with PCOS, an area of medicine that has been underserved with few treatment options.

“There has been a severe unmet need for more accessible options, and this new funding will allow us to continue to advance our US pivotal study to investigate the potential of Ovarian Rebalancing in women with infertility caused by PCOS.”

She added: “We’re committed to bringing a modern approach to the millions of women looking for alternative options to achieve pregnancy in a more natural manner.”

Dr Robert Auerbach, OB/GYN and chairman of the May Health board, said: “For years, women with PCOS who struggle with infertility have sought alternative treatment options that go beyond IVF and laparoscopic ovarian drilling.

“Our team is working to develop a simple and safe procedure that can activate natural ovulation and help women regain their ability to grow their families.

“We’re thankful to our investment partners for their support and look forward to further research of Ovarian Balancing in the REBALANCE Study.”

Nina Rawal, co-head and partner at Trill Impact Ventures, shared: “We see May Health as a great example of a company where commercial opportunity and impact go hand in hand.

“Trill Impact is excited to collaborate with the May Health team and its strong shareholders to bring their innovative product to women who have suffered from a lack of treatment options for too long.”

Jean-François Morin, investment director at Bpifrance, said May Health is charting a “new path” in fertility care.

“We are thrilled to support the company’s effort to bring its new approach to women with PCOS, including advancing it in the pivotal REBALANCE Study,” he explained.

“With its unique mechanism of action, May Health’s device has the potential to significantly improve the lives of patients with PCOS, including but not limited to related infertility issues.

“We are committed to supporting May Health to become a leader in the PCOS space.”

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News

Femtech World Awards 2026: Winners revealed

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We are excited to reveal the winners of the third annual Femtech World Awards.

The winners were announced at a virtual event this afternoon attended by shortlisted companies, along with sponsors and judges.

The event welcomed guests from the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.

Thank you to all 174 entries, as well as the sponsors for making the event possible.

See you in 2027!

Femtech World Awards 2026 Winners

Winner:

Shortlisted:

IVI RMA x Juno Genetics

Natural Cycles

Winner:

Highly commended:

U-Ploid

Shortlisted:

Hello Inside

Winner:

WISE HF, led by Prof. Mary Ryder

Highly commended:

Cardiac College for Women

Shortlisted:

Hyvelle Ferguson-Davis

CognitiveCare

Winner:

Highly commended:

Youterus

Shortlisted:

ŌURA

Winner:

Shortlisted:

LeanShield by ParrotPal Group

Perigen

Winner:

Shortlisted:

Body Moody

Looop

Winner:

Shortlisted:

Owning Your Menopause

Womeno

Winner:

Shortlisted:

The Blue Box

Celbrea

Winner:

Shortlisted:

HealCycle

Mor

Winner:

Shortlisted:

HRC Fertility

Mira

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Motherhood

Expectations about sleep affect postpartum sleep quality, study finds

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Pregnant women’s expectations about postpartum sleep may predict sleep quality after birth, outweighing prior sleep and psychiatric history, a study suggests.

The findings suggest attitudes and beliefs about sleep during pregnancy could be a modifiable risk factor for postpartum sleep concerns.

They also indicate that, among women expecting the poorest sleep, higher postpartum anxiety may further worsen sleep quality.

Sammy Dhaliwal, lead author is clinical health psychologist and research fellow in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dhaliwal said: “Most pregnant women in our sample anticipated poor postpartum sleep before it occurred, and it was striking that those expectations predicted worse sleep outcomes even after accounting for factors such as prior sleep disorders, psychiatric history, and number of previous births.

“This suggests that attitudes and beliefs about sleep during pregnancy may represent a modifiable target for early intervention before postpartum sleep problems emerge.”

Sleep disturbance affects an estimated 60 to 80 per cent of postpartum women and is linked to a higher risk of depression and anxiety.

Researchers said it is often regarded as an expected part of life after childbirth rather than a health issue that may be addressed earlier.

The study enrolled 432 pregnant women at about 24 weeks of gestation, meaning around 24 weeks into pregnancy.

Participants completed measures of their expectations about postpartum sleep, current sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and mood using validated depression and anxiety scales.

Assessments were repeated at six, 12 and 24 weeks postpartum.

A subset of 49 women also wore wrist actigraphy devices at six to eight weeks postpartum.

Actigraphy uses a wearable device, similar to a watch, to estimate sleep and wake patterns based on movement.

The results showed that 70 per cent of pregnant women, or 301 of 432 participants, expected poor sleep in the postpartum period.

Researchers found that predicted sleep disruption during pregnancy was a significant predictor of postpartum sleep concerns.

Among first-time pregnant women without prior health concerns, those who expected greater sleep disturbance had significantly more disrupted sleep after birth, measured by both actigraphy and self-report.

Among women who expected the worst sleep quality, higher postpartum anxiety significantly worsened both measured sleep and self-reported sleep, independent of anxiety levels during pregnancy.

Dhaliwal said the findings point to two possible areas for intervention: addressing sleep-related beliefs during pregnancy and treating postpartum anxiety.

Dhaliwal said: “Postpartum sleep disruption is often treated only after problems develop, but our findings suggest there may be an opportunity to intervene earlier during pregnancy.

“Addressing sleep-related beliefs and postpartum anxiety during prenatal and postpartum care may help improve sleep and emotional well-being in new mothers.”

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Fertility

Weight loss jab shows early promise in improving PMOS fertility

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A weight loss jab may improve fertility outcomes in women with PMOS, early findings from an ongoing clinical trial suggest.

The proof-of-concept analysis found that injectable semaglutide may offer reproductive benefits while also addressing obesity and metabolic dysfunction.

It is the first report to examine how injectable semaglutide may improve reproductive outcomes in women with PMOS while also addressing obesity and metabolic dysfunction.

The work forms part of the ongoing RESTORE clinical trial.

Melanie Cree, professor at CU Anschutz and first author of the report, said: “Women with PMOS frequently face a frustrating choice between treatments that target reproductive symptoms and those that address metabolic health.

“Our early findings suggest injectable semaglutide may have the potential to improve both, offering a more comprehensive approach to care.

“This medication is incredibly promising when someone responds with 10 per cent weight loss.”

The trial is examining whether semaglutide can restore ovulation and improve reproductive health in adolescents and adults with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, known as PMOS.

PMOS, formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS, is a hormone and metabolic condition linked to irregular periods, raised testosterone levels, infertility risk, obesity and increased cardiometabolic disease.

Cardiometabolic disease refers to conditions linked to the heart and metabolism, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

Existing treatments, including metformin and hormonal contraceptives, often do not fully address reproductive and metabolic complications at the same time.

The analysis focused on participants aged 12 to 35 who lost at least 10 per cent of their body weight during treatment.

Researchers said reproductive improvements appeared earlier than expected, prompting them to report preliminary findings while the wider study continues.

Cree is also a paediatric endocrinologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Endocrinologists are doctors who specialise in hormones and hormone-related conditions.

Cree said: “What makes this work particularly important is that it focuses specifically on women with PMOS receiving injectable semaglutide.

“Although GLP-1 medications have transformed obesity treatment, there remains a significant need for rigorous data examining how these therapies affect fertility and reproductive function in this population.”

The RESTORE study is evaluating semaglutide treatment in girls and women with PMOS and obesity.

Its broader aim is to determine whether weight loss and metabolic improvements can restore ovulation and improve reproductive outcomes.

Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovary, a key part of the menstrual cycle and fertility.

The authors said the findings are from an early proof-of-concept analysis and that larger, longer-term studies will be needed to confirm whether the reproductive benefits last.

The findings suggest injectable semaglutide may become a treatment option for women with PMOS seeking improvements in both metabolic and reproductive health, if future studies confirm the results.

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