StartUp / Biotech
Innovative Solutions in Women's Health Care
Hertility, founded by Helen O'Neill, addresses the significant gap in women's health care, particularly in gynecological diagnostics. The startup has raised over $29 million and completed more than 700,000 health assessments, aiming to reduce the average diagnosis time for conditions like endometriosis.
Source material: Hertility CEO, Helen O’Neill on building a foundational model for women's health
Summary
Hertility, founded by Helen O'Neill, addresses the significant gap in women's health care, particularly in gynecological diagnostics. The startup has raised over $29 million and completed more than 700,000 health assessments, aiming to reduce the average diagnosis time for conditions like endometriosis.
O'Neill emphasizes the logistical hurdles in including women in clinical trials, particularly the challenges of gathering reliable data during specific phases of the menstrual cycle. The underrepresentation of women in clinical trials has resulted in significant knowledge gaps, with 80% of drugs withdrawn due to adverse reactions in women.
Hertility has created a comprehensive health assessment system that prioritizes women based on suspected conditions, followed by remote blood testing to expedite diagnoses. The company is developing a multimodal data set that integrates health assessments, blood results, and ultrasound images, which will be utilized to train AI models for accurate diagnosis of women's health issues.
Concerns have been raised regarding the demographic representation of the data collected, as it predominantly reflects wealthier women, which may impact the inclusivity of the health solutions being developed. The backlog in gynecological care, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores the pressing need for innovative solutions.
Perspectives
Proponents of Women's Health Innovation
- Highlight the urgent need for improved womens health care and faster diagnosis
- Emphasize the importance of integrating innovative technologies in healthcare systems
Critics of Current Healthcare Models
- Point out the systemic barriers and biases in funding and research for womens health
- Question the inclusivity and generalizability of health solutions developed from a predominantly wealthier demographic
Neutral / Shared
- Acknowledge the logistical challenges in conducting clinical trials involving women
- Recognize the growing awareness among investors about the importance of womens health
Metrics
over 700,000 units
of women waiting for gynecological care in the UK
This backlog highlights the urgent need for innovative healthcare solutions
there are over 700,000 women on a wait list to see a gynecologist in the UK
25%
percentage of users aged 18 to 25
This reflects a demographic diversity that challenges stereotypes about their user base
25% of that database are 18 to 25-year-olds
£249 GBP
cost of a full health assessment
This positions Hertility as a cost-effective alternative to multiple traditional appointments
we now include a um a call with one of our clinicians so it's 249 pounds
16 billion GBP
cost to the UK government for undiagnosed endometriosis
This financial burden underscores the need for more efficient diagnostic solutions
it costs the UK government 16 billion annually
Key entities
Key developments
Phase 1
Hertility, founded by Helen O'Neill, addresses the significant gap in women's health care, particularly in gynecological diagnostics. The startup has raised over $29 million and completed more than 700,000 health assessments, aiming to reduce the average diagnosis time for conditions like endometriosis.
- Helen ONeill, CEO of Hertility, stresses the urgency for improved womens health care, expressing frustration over the gap between knowledge and actionable solutions
- Hertility originated as a clinical trial focused on creating predictive diagnostic algorithms for gynecological conditions, aiming to reduce the average diagnosis time of up to nine years for common womens health issues
- The startup has successfully raised over $29 million and conducted more than 700,000 health assessments, demonstrating its significant influence on womens health diagnostics
- ONeill highlights the historical neglect of womens health in research, where male bodies have often been the standard, resulting in fewer accessible fertility tests for women
- The variability of womens hormones complicates the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions, underscoring the need for a customized approach to womens health care
Phase 2
Hertility is addressing the significant gap in women's health care by developing a diagnostic testing system that supports women through their fertility journeys. The company aims to reduce the lengthy diagnosis time for conditions like endometriosis by leveraging a multimodal data set for accurate diagnosis.
- Hertility CEO Helen ONeill emphasizes the logistical hurdles in including women in clinical trials, particularly the challenges of gathering reliable data during specific phases of the menstrual cycle
- The underrepresentation of women in clinical trials has resulted in significant knowledge gaps, with 80% of drugs withdrawn due to adverse reactions in women, highlighting the urgent need for more inclusive research
- Hertility has created a comprehensive health assessment system that prioritizes women based on suspected conditions, followed by remote blood testing to expedite diagnoses, aiming to address the lengthy average wait for conditions like endometriosis
- The company is developing a multimodal data set that integrates health assessments, blood results, and ultrasound images, which will be utilized to train AI models for accurate diagnosis of womens health issues
- ONeill envisions leveraging this extensive data set to establish foundational models for diagnosing and treating womens health conditions, with potential collaborations with healthcare systems or the development of proprietary Hertility products
Phase 3
Hertility has developed a diagnostic testing system that significantly reduces the diagnosis time for conditions like endometriosis. The company utilizes a multimodal data strategy to enhance the understanding of women's health issues.
- Hertility has established a health assessment and diagnostic testing system that enables rapid diagnoses for conditions like endometriosis, achieving 98-99% confidence in just eight days, compared to an average of nine years through traditional NHS methods
- The company employs a multimodal data strategy, integrating health assessments, blood results, and ultrasound images to create a comprehensive dataset that enhances the understanding and diagnosis of womens health issues
- Hertilitys Gain AI system automates clinical workflows, including blood interpretation and ultrasonography, improving healthcare efficiency and allowing providers to concentrate more on patient care
- Concerns have been raised regarding the demographic representation of the data collected, as it predominantly reflects wealthier women, which may impact the inclusivity of the health solutions being developed
- The backlog in gynecological care, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores the pressing need for innovative solutions, with over 700,000 women in the UK currently awaiting appointments
Phase 4
Hertility is addressing the significant gap in women's health care by developing a diagnostic testing system that supports women through their fertility journeys. The company aims to reduce the lengthy diagnosis time for conditions like endometriosis by leveraging a multimodal data set for accurate diagnosis.
- Hertilitys user base includes 25% of individuals aged 18 to 25, reflecting a demographic diversity that challenges the notion that only wealthier women seek their services
- The company offers flexible payment options to enhance accessibility, recognizing that health often takes a backseat until urgent needs arise, similar to consumer electronics
- Hertility has completed 29 clinical trials to validate its at-home testing methods, addressing clinician skepticism about their reliability compared to traditional blood tests
- Capillary blood testing, which uses less invasive finger pricks, is promoted as a safer alternative to venipuncture, especially for women who may be anemic or averse to needles
- Helen ONeill emphasizes the importance of integrating Hertilitys model into national health systems to potentially reduce diagnosis times and unnecessary surgeries, aligning with new womens health initiatives
Phase 5
Hertility is developing a diagnostic testing system to improve women's health care, particularly in diagnosing conditions like endometriosis. The company aims to scale its model globally while addressing the challenges of operating in a healthcare system that typically offers free services.
- Hertility operates in a challenging UK healthcare environment characterized by resistance to paying for services, which has led to low pricing for their tests
- The company has successfully navigated regulatory challenges and aims to scale its model globally, drawing on its experience in a system that typically offers free healthcare
- Currently, Hertility charges £249 for a full health assessment, which includes a clinician consultation, positioning it as a cost-effective alternative to multiple traditional appointments
- While direct-to-consumer sales remain the primary revenue stream, Hertility plans to introduce software licensing as a medical device in the US and Australia within the next year, pending FDA approval
- Despite difficulties in securing funding for what is seen as a niche market, Hertility has established multiple revenue streams that bolster its growth and resilience in the current economic landscape
Phase 6
Hertility has developed a diagnostic testing system that can diagnose endometriosis with 98-99% confidence in eight days, significantly reducing the average nine-year wait. The company aims to improve women's health care by addressing logistical challenges and enhancing patient management systems.
- Hertility aims to significantly reduce the diagnosis time for conditions like endometriosis, achieving results in eight days compared to the typical nine-year wait in the UK
- The company is creating a modular patient management system designed to improve efficiency and lower costs for healthcare providers, particularly in the US market
- Hertilitys tiered approach to health assessments and blood tests addresses the logistical challenges associated with womens health diagnosis and treatment
- There is a notable contrast in the adoption of new technologies between the US and the UK, with the US showing greater enthusiasm despite the UKs loyalty to its NHS
- User testimonials indicate that Hertilitys services lead to faster diagnoses and treatments compared to traditional healthcare pathways