Global Funding:
- Singapore-based MedTech firm Biorithm has successfully closed a $3.5M Series A funding round, co-led by Adaptive Capital Partners and SEEDS Capital, the investment arm of government agency Enterprise Singapore.
Global Companies:
- The US fertility technology company TMRW Life Sciences has announced the adoption of its platform in the UK.The platform, also known as CryoRobot Select (CRS), aims to modernise the management and storage of frozen eggs and embryos by combining hardware and software to track, monitor and store frozen eggs and embryos.
- Organon and Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) have announced a commercialization agreement that positions Organon as the exclusive distributor and promoter of two migraine medicines. Organon is a global healthcare company with a focus on women’s health.
- Clue, a femtech and reproductive health platform, has recently announced a new initiative in collaboration with top global universities, including the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Exeter
FemTech News:
- A new drug that prevents hot flushes during menopause has been approved for use in the UK and the EU. Veoza, also known as fezolinetant, has been given the go-ahead by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the European Commission after it was approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration earlier this year.
- An India-based start-up has launched an at-home fertility test to help women track and monitor their hormones. The test, developed by Arva Health, claims to measure up to 12 hormone levels that affect fertility at a more affordable cost than traditional fertility clinics.
- A recent survey of more than 450 breast cancer patients and data from more than 850 medical records requests across 667 medical centers in every US state. The study uncovered that only half of patients (51%) felt their care team was fully accessible to answer questions during active treatment and only a third of patients were fully satisfied with the information they received from their care team during both active treatment and survivorship.
- Indians are more prone genetically to have a slower metabolism and higher blood sugar because of several reasons including poor food habits and lack of exercise, according to an expert. India has logged more than 33 million new diabetes patients last year.
- MediBuddy, revealed trends in cholesterol levels among young Indians, even within the normal Body Mass Index (BMI) range. The findings raise concerns about the traditional indicators used for assessing cardiovascular health. Analysing data from 10,990 individuals aged 20-40, the study sheds light on the limitations of relying solely on BMI. It highlights the need for a proactive, personalised approach to preventive care, especially in the face of evolving health challenges faced by young Indians.
- NIMHANS, in association with Ashraya Hastha Trust (AHT), signed an MoU with multiple stakeholders to implement a comprehensive rural mental health programme named ‘NAMAN’ (NIMHANS-AHT Comprehensive Mental-Health-Action-Program for Rural Communities) in two taluks in India. NIMHANS will develop the road map for the overall implementation of the programme.
- Computed tomography (CT) scans are associated with an increased risk of blood cancers in children and young adults, according to a study published in the Nature Medicine journal.The European Pediatric CT (EPI-CT) study, involving nearly a million patients, reveals that the radiation from these scans, which use X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body, might be putting youngsters at risk.
- In a groundbreaking study conducted by the renowned Ruhr University Bochum and the German Center for Mental Health, it has been revealed that decreasing social media usage by just 30 minutes per day can significantly improve mental health and job satisfaction. The research also suggests that frequent social media users struggle to maintain focus on their work, leading to decreased productivity.
- A study published in JAMA Network Open has found that intermittent fasting can help obese people with type 2 diabetes lose weight and control their blood sugar levels. People with type 2 diabetes are often encouraged to lose weight to better manage their blood sugar and reduce the need of taking too many medications
- Google launched MedLM, a group of AI models specifically geared toward the healthcare industry. MedLM — a family of foundation models fine-tuned for healthcare industry use cases.
FemTech India Partner Company News:
- Etta Watts Russel, founder of Lactamo recently delivered an industry-based address at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
- Sirona partnered with Samvidha Samman women bike rally which was organized by Iron Horses.
- HempStreet was a part of the 5th Global Ayurveda Festival – 2023. The event was organized at the Greenfield International Stadium, Kerala.
- Ameya Kulkarni Kanakiya, founder of Elda Health led a webinar with Global Alliance For Improved Nutrition covering the impact of menopause and bone health.
- Niramai Health Analytix contributed to the #WellnessonWheels, a societal initiative by Volvo and Narayana Health, in collaboration with the Department of Health, Karnataka.
Drugs, Diagnostics, and Pharma:
- Owkin, a French-American biotechnology company that applies artificial intelligence (AI) to drug discovery and development, and diagnostics, announced that it has entered into a collaboration agreement with MSD, the trade name of Merck & Co Inc, to develop and commercialize AI-powered digital pathology diagnostics for the EU market.
- An independent German research institute, BioMed X Institute announced a new joint research project with a Japanese pharmaceutical company, Ono Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd. It is marking the start of the collaboration between the German biomedical research institute and one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Japan.
Government News:
- Noting a huge variation in Budget Estimate (BE) and Revised Estimate (RE) allocations for production linked incentive (PLI) schemes under the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on ministry of chemicals and fertilizers has recommended to the DoP to make a realistic assessment of the funds required for various schemes.
- The Union Ministry of Ayush is framing guidelines under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 for issuance of license to the Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs with the new dosage form of nasal spray in these systems, that are different from the traditional Nasya treatment.
Research, Insights, and Market Projections:
- A vegan diet has been shown to significantly improve cardiovascular health in as little as eight weeks. The study, conducted by Stanford Medicine researchers, which involved 22 pairs of identical twins, aimed to minimise genetic and environmental factors that often complicate diet studies.
- Researchers at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) have developed an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) model that shows promise in predicting the risk of long-term visual impairment in individuals with high myopia.
Jobs on Board:
- iMumz is looking for a Social Media Manager. iMumz is a digital platform for Indian Pregnant Women.
- Allo Health is looking for a Digital Marketing Expert. Allo Health is a digital health clinic which has launched India’s first sexual wellbeing program.
- Rocket Health is looking for a psychologist. Rocket Health is a platform which provides healthcare for mental and sexual health.
