£1.3 million Investment Fuels Innovation in Women’s Health
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London, UK – A significant £1.3 million investment has been awarded to women’s health innovations by SBRI healthcare, in partnership wiht the Health Innovation Network. This funding, provided by the Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC), supports 14 winners of the highly competitive ‘Competition 25: Women’s Health.’ These projects will undergo a six-month period to demonstrate their technical adn commercial viability, marking a crucial step toward improving healthcare outcomes for women across various medical needs.
The “Competition 25: Women’s Health,” launched in July 2024, invited applications from diverse sectors, including private, public, and third-sector organizations. This inclusive approach ensured that large corporations, small and medium enterprises, charities, universities, and NHS providers all had the prospect to contribute innovative solutions.
Groundbreaking Projects Set to Transform Women’s Healthcare
The winning projects span a wide array of critical areas within women’s health,each poised to make a significant impact. These innovations range from devices designed to ease childbirth to digital tools supporting women with chronic conditions.
- BirthGlide Limited received £99,836 to develop a device aimed at preventing challenging births during the pushing stage of labor. This innovation seeks to reduce the need for traumatic procedures such as forceps, vacuum extraction, or emergency C-sections.
- DDM Health Limited was awarded £78,063 to support women managing long-term and chronic health conditions. Their adaptive,personalized digital health tool aims to improve self-management and overall health outcomes.
- ScreenIn3D Limited secured £99,655 for an organ-on-a-chip platform designed to model personalized embryo implantation. This technology has the potential to improve subfertility issues associated with chronic gynaecological diseases.
- Peripear Ltd received £90,779 to advance the Peripear Medical Device, a low-cost solution to minimize perineal injury during vaginal childbirth.
- The Essential Baby Company was awarded £77,098 for the haPPIE SHE Cares project, which supports Black and ethnically minoritised women during the perinatal period. This initiative combines culturally sensitive digital tools with community services.
- Neotherix Limited received £99,981 to co-design an improved treatment for recto-vaginal fistula. The project focuses on understanding the needs of women and assessing the feasibility of a novel,cost-effective device.
- Queen Mary University/Samphire Neuroscience were awarded £88,811 to validate a non-invasive brain stimulation device (Nettle) for managing symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
- Lighthearted AI Health Limited secured £99,125 for a portable, rapid, non-contact method of detecting heart valve disease and other cardiac conditions in women.
- Signatur Biosciences ltd received £96,055 to revolutionize breast cancer prognosis with “OncoSignatur Breast,” an innovative, cost-effective test for improved, personalized patient pathways.
- Holly health Ltd was awarded £79,247 to co-design a personalized, scalable wellbeing tool targeting binge eating challenges in women.
- Unravel Health Limited secured £99,725 to develop a hormone monitor for managing migraines and related conditions.
- Liberum Health Ltd received £99,942 for a novel,non-invasive alternative to oral therapies for pelvic pain caused by menstrual pain and/or endometriosis.
- Signal Enhancement Diagnostics Limited was awarded £99,221 to focus on global endometriosis diagnosis and treatment with a cost-effective blood-based test using biomarkers for diagnosis, disease progression, and management.
- Spryt Ltd received £100,000 to increase cervical screening rates to the national average in North Central London.
Expert perspectives on the Impact of Innovation
Dr. Sue Mann, national clinical director for women’s health at NHS England, emphasized the importance of these advancements, stating:
It’s fantastic to see new technologies evolving that could make a real difference to improving women’s health, from those experiencing gynaecological and fertility problems to supportive aids during childbirth.
Dr. Sue Mann, national clinical director for women’s health at NHS England
Dr. Mann further highlighted the potential for these innovations to transform patient care:
Innovations such as these can play more and more of a part in improving care for women.
Dr. Sue Mann, national clinical director for women’s health at NHS England
Broader Support for Women in innovation
This investment follows other significant initiatives aimed at supporting women in innovation. In february 2025, the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards awarded £3.75 million in government funding to 50 women entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs are focused on solving a range of societal,environmental,and economic challenges through innovative solutions.
Notably, Innovate UK reversed an earlier decision to cut 50% of grants for the awards, a move that followed a social media campaign led by femtech founder Emma Jarvis. This reversal underscores the importance of continued support and funding for women-led innovation in the UK.
Conclusion: A Promising Future for Women’s Health
The £1.3 million investment in women’s health innovations represents a significant step forward in addressing critical healthcare needs. With projects ranging from improving childbirth outcomes to managing chronic conditions and detecting diseases earlier, these initiatives hold the promise of transforming women’s healthcare. As these projects progress through their six-month feasibility studies, the potential for lasting impact on the lives of women across the UK is ample.
Revolutionizing Women’s Healthcare: A £1.3 Million Investment and the Future of femtech
Could a £1.3 million investment truly revolutionize women’s healthcare? The answer,according to leading women’s health expert Dr. Eleanor Vance, is a resounding yes.
Interviewer: Dr. Vance,thank you for joining us today. The recent £1.3 million investment in women’s health innovations, as detailed in our recent article, is sparking considerable excitement. Can you shed light on why this funding is so critically important for the field of women’s health?
Dr. Vance: Absolutely.This investment is monumental as it directly addresses the long-standing disparity in research and funding dedicated to women’s health issues. for far too long, healthcare innovation has lagged in areas specifically affecting women.This funding signifies a crucial shift towards prioritizing the unique physiological and health needs of women, leading to the development of much-needed innovations across various spectrums of women’s health. this funding isn’t just about money; it’s about recognizing the validity and importance of addressing the health challenges faced by women globally.
Interviewer: The funding supports projects ranging from aiding childbirth to addressing chronic conditions. Can you highlight some specific examples of how this investment translates into tangible improvements in women’s healthcare?
Dr. Vance: Certainly. The breadth of projects funded is incredibly encouraging.Let’s look at a few examples. The development of devices to reduce traumatic births, such as those from BirthGlide Limited and Peripear Ltd, directly addresses a significant maternal health concern. These innovations promise to improve birthing experiences and reduce the need for interventions like forceps or C-sections.Then, there are the digital health tools, like the one created by DDM Health Limited, which offer personalized support for women managing chronic illnesses. Improved self-management tools are crucial for better overall health outcomes and contribute considerably to better quality of life. the advancements in diagnosis and treatment for conditions like endometriosis (signal Enhancement Diagnostics Limited) and breast cancer (Signatur Biosciences Ltd) are notably noteworthy. Early detection and tailored treatment options are paramount for improving survival rates and managing these conditions. Essentially, this investment creates a ripple effect: supporting the development of new devices, improving diagnostic capabilities, optimizing treatment options, enabling better disease management, and, ultimately, improving the experiences of women seeking healthcare.
Interviewer: Many of the winning projects focus on technological advancements. How crucial is technology and digital health to the future of women’s healthcare overall?
Dr. Vance: Technology, particularly in the field of digital health (or femtech), is absolutely transformative. Digital health solutions offer personalized approaches to care, improved accessibility, remote monitoring capabilities, and enhanced patient engagement. As an example, wearable technology can monitor vital signs and detect anomalies early on; telehealth platforms provide convenient access to healthcare professionals; and AI algorithms support diagnostic processes. These technological advancements are not just supplementary; they are integral to the future of women’s healthcare. They are addressing issues of geographical limitations, affordability concerns, reduced wait times, and providing personalized care that was previously unattainable. The potential benefits range from better reproductive health outcomes to improved management of chronic conditions and better mental health support, all leading to increased health equity for women.
Interviewer: Beyond the financial aspect, what broader impact does this investment represent for women in innovation and entrepreneurship?
Dr.Vance: This investment underscores a critical shift in recognizing and supporting women-led innovation in the healthcare sector. It empowers women entrepreneurs and researchers to tackle crucial healthcare challenges. This is not simply a matter of fairness but also a matter of acknowledging the unique insights and experiences that women bring to the table. investing in female entrepreneurs in the tech space, in particular, is often a catalyst for innovative, user-centric products. When women are involved in the design and development of healthcare technologies, the solutions tend to be more attuned to the specific needs and preferences of women, leading to better adoption rates and ultimately, better outcomes. This investment sets a precedent, encouraging others to invest in, and further support female entrepreneurs and researchers in health-tech.
Interviewer: what are your final thoughts on the potential long-term impact of this investment and what advice would you offer?
Dr. Vance: This £1.3 million investment is a beacon of hope—a symbol of a growing recognition of the urgent need to address the disparities in women’s health. Its impact is far-reaching, extending beyond the immediate beneficiaries to pave the way for future investments and developments. My advice is for stakeholders—investors, researchers, healthcare institutions, and policymakers—to remain committed to closing the funding gap in women’s health. Continue to support and encourage women entrepreneurs and prioritize research that specifically addresses the unique health challenges of women across various stages of life.
Key Takeaways:
This investment signifies a crucial step towards prioritizing women’s health needs.
Technological advancements in femtech are transforming healthcare access and outcomes.
Supporting women entrepreneurs is vital for developing user-centric healthcare solutions.
Continued investment and focus on women’s health are essential for creating a more equitable healthcare system for all.
We encourage readers to share their thoughts and perspectives on this critically important topic in the comments below!