Organon’s Post

Every year around this time when I decide to grow a mustache, my wife reminds me of the issue of gender bias in medical research and drug development. A few examples are the historical exclusion of women from clinical trials, the underrepresentation of women in early-stage pharmaceutical research, and the lack of gender-specific data in drug safety and efficacy. These examples highlight the systemic disparities that still exist in healthcare. Yet, here I am with my Movember mustache, not in contradiction to these concerns, but in complementary support of addressing gender-specific health needs. Movember focuses on critical men's health issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health – areas that also need attention and advocacy. As I grow this mustache, it's not just about men’s health; it's a symbol of the broader need for balanced, inclusive medical research and healthcare. It’s a conversation starter about how health issues uniquely impact different genders and the importance of tailored research and solutions. So, while I stand in solidarity with Movember’s mission, I also acknowledge the need for continued efforts to address gender biases in medical research. Let's use these conversations to champion equitable healthcare for all. P.S. The moustache is coming off... the rest stays, been there for over 30 years. #movember #healthissues #menshealth #equitablehealthcare

Several studies have shown that in many areas of healthcare women experience poorer outcomes, with the headline findings making for sobering reading: 📝  The UK has the largest female health gap in the G20 and the 12th largest globally. 📝  A University of Leeds study found that women with a total blockage of coronary artery were 59% more likely to be misdiagnosed than men, and that UK women had more than double the rate of death in the 30 days following a heart attack. 📝 While 1 in 3 women in the UK will suffer from a reproductive or gynaecological health issue in their lives, less than 2.5% of publicly funded research is dedicated solely to reproductive health. 📝 On average, it takes 7 to 8 years for women to receive a diagnosis of endometriosis, with 40% of women needing 10 or more GP appointments before being referred to a specialist. I'm therefore really looking forward to this Women's Health event (co-hosted by Burness Paull LLP and Scottish Lifesciences Association at our Edinburgh office), where there are an excellent group of speakers lined up to talk about some of the products, developments and initiatives currently underway which focus on women’s health needs and have the potential to improve women’s lives. Please do register to attend (and feel free to reach out to myself or any other member of the Life Sciences and Healthcare team with any queries).

Two UK sisters are challenging #menstrualtaboos with their "Love Your Period" campaign. Their goal is to empower women, encouraging them to overcome embarrassment and address period-related issues. Molly Fenton emphasizes that while science and biology are taught, the severity of period pain or abnormal symptoms is often overlooked. Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), affecting 20–30% of women in their lifetimes, can cause bleeding between periods or changes in timing. It's crucial for women experiencing these symptoms to consult a healthcare provider promptly to avoid potential complications requiring urgent care, such as blood transfusion or surgery. Efforts to raise awareness about menstrual health are underway in schools, forums, and with education/websites from healthcare product companies. #Pharmaceutical companies play an important role. For example, Hologic's "Better is Possible" campaign focuses on educating women about disruptive period symptoms, aiming to eliminate the silence around uterine health issues. Mary Byerly, Vice President of Marketing at #Hologic, stresses the need for women to seek treatment without suffering in silence. The campaign encourages women to discuss their symptoms with healthcare professionals and consider available solutions, including Hologic's products. Mary ByerlyArmelle C.Stephany (Ferreira) AntunesHeather SittigRajan Krish

Sneaking in a #WomensHealthWednesday before the day officially runs out. The future of women’s health will undoubtedly include more non-invasive #diagnostics. The future is one step closer with this week’s FDA clearance of Qvin Q-pad which uses #menstrual blood collected on a testing strip built into a menstrual pad and will allow #diabetic women to non-invasively monitor #HbA1c. https://lnkd.in/e8npQaGZ A1c has traditionally required a finger stick and doctor or lab visit. This new product eliminates both the pain and the hassle. The Q-Pad strip will be sent to a #CLIA certified lab and the patient will receive their result via the Qvin app. For diabetics, A1c is a measure of trailing 3 months of blood glucose levels. This first application, and the need to send to a lab, may not be transformational, but it is the first step to more impactful patient care. In fact, we reported half a year ago in another #WHW post that researchers had recently correlated endometrial tissue shed into period blood as being distinct in patients with endometriosis vs in patients without it. https://lnkd.in/eNNHiz_f  A non-invasive diagnostic test for #endometriosis continues to be one of the holy grails of women’s health. It is this very combination of basic science research and product innovation that our industry needs and that we hope the recent The White House Women's Health Initiative will continue to drive. Don't hesitate to reach out to Health Advances women's health team with any strategy needs. Susan Posner Jeffrey Abraham Arushi Agarwal Masha Dumanis

The future of FemTech is transforming rapidly. Investment in women’s health is expanding beyond reproductive and gynecological care to encompass a wide range of physical and mental health aspects (this is good!). VC investment in U.S. and European women’s health companies increased from $511 million in 2018 to an estimated $1.7 billion in 2023. Key areas of growth? - advanced primary care - oncology - pelvic health - menopause. Notably, menopause funding has nearly tripled from $22 million in 2019 to $66 million in 2023. Despite these advances, NIH funding for conditions predominantly affecting women remains significantly lower than those affecting men. There's still a lot of work to be done... substantial investment is crucial to address the diverse healthcare needs of women globally. I'll dive deeper into investment trends in FemTech in my upcoming Healthcare Huddle newsletter. 📩 Subscribe to Healthcare Huddle: https://lnkd.in/dbP7_Wbz

Exploring women's health remains crucial, and it's inspiring to witness progress like the FDA approval of a menstrual pad capable of collecting diagnostic blood samples. Shifting the focus to menstrual blood, often considered waste or taboo, highlights a promising future where women's health issues can be comprehensively understood and addressed. #WomensHealth #Innovation

Love seeing cutting edge tech specifically for women. Blood analysis from blood naturally shed by women: so straightforward, yet has never really been on the books. It's amazing that we often can't think out of the box (= male bodies) for innovation. Another huge sector to disrupt: wearables. They are called wearables as "we" have to wear them. But as women, we could have seamless devices: "insertables". Like a tampon. Imagine the use cases: instead of taking your body basal temperature with a thermometer or with a device you wear, you have a local insertable device that measures temperature (technically to be analysed); change in vaginal pH, detect ovulation by analysing locally cervical fluids and position of the organs,... Lot to facilitate women's lives. Exciting times we're living in!!

This is very interesting https://lnkd.in/enDdKG2h

Check out this insightful article highlighting the underrepresentation and underfunding of women's health research. Drawing insights from The WHAM Report, it illuminates the crucial need to close the gap in medical research across various disease verticals, including autoimmune diseases, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer, WHAM’s four areas of focus. Despite women's outsized contributions to the economy and their unique health challenges, research funding focused on women remains alarmingly low. The WHAM Report, conducted by The RAND Corporation, underscores the economic imperative of investing in women's health research, revealing the potential for over $14 billion in economic returns by doubling the budget across specific disease areas. Dive deeper into this pivotal discussion and join WHAM in advocating for transformative change in women's health research.   👉 READ THE FULL ARTICLE: https://lnkd.in/edn-KjMT   #WHAMnow #WomensHealth #Research #EmpowerChange #3Not30

What a great Article: -Women are 2x as likely to develop Alzheimer's and not due to increased life span. -CAD is the leading cause of death for women, but only 1/3 of the participants in CAD trials are women historically. -Breast cancer is the most funded female cancer, but lung cancer is affecting more women who are nonsmokers and is more fatal. When do pharmacy and diagnostic companies say they don't have a "Women's Health "Pipeline? I cringe!! If your clinical dev team wants more information on how they can incorporate and build better studies they have to address this void. We need to re-invent how we approach disease! Gender and Genetics have to go hand in hand to develop new therapies. Also, although not confined to the Uterus, women's uterine health and maternal conditions such as PCOS, pre-eclampsia, and Endometriosis can have a lifetime of additional risk in the above disease states. Let's figure out the link! #womenshealth #3not30 #femtech