FutureFemHealth

A new champion for midlife health? There’s a new player in the women’s health virtual care space in the U.S - and it’s going to be a very interesting one to watch. This week, LifeMD, a virtual primary care provider, announced the acquisition of Optimal Human Health MD, a platform specialising in osteoporosis care. LifeMD says it will now launch a dedicated women’s health vertical within its existing virtual care platform. The new services, due to launch this summer, will focus on menopause, hormones, bone health and long-term wellness. In today's newsletter, we break down why this acquisition is worth noting and the impact that LifeMD could have on midlife women's health. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/esJFzHff

"We’re building something with real science, real results - and a brand and community that women actually want to be part of." Olly Johnson, co-founder Valerie. Today the perimenopause wellness brand has announced it has raised £514k in pre-seed funding led by a group of angel investors including Giles Brook (ex-CEO of Vita Coco EMEA). The raise comes amidst a surge in consumer understanding about perimenopause and demand for products to support symptoms and maximise healthspan. “We're not in the business of meno-washing. This is not about shrinking into invisibility. It’s about helping women feel like themselves again - with products that actually deliver.” Wizz Selvey, co-founder of Valerie. Read our full story: https://lnkd.in/e4BiW7Gt

🔥 Another huge week of news to share from the world of women’s health innovation and FemTech. Here's the rundown... ⁣ All of these stories are free to read in our weekly newsletter: www.futurefemhealth.com ⁣ 📌 LifeMD acquires Optimal Human Health MD and creates dedicated women's health vertical | Jessica Friedeman, Doug Lucas ⁣ 📌 Granata Bio acquires Oviva Therapeutics to tackle ovarian aging and fertility challenges | James Peyer, PhD, Daisy Robinton, PhD, David Pepin, ⁣ 📌 Cacto Health raises DKK 3M ($457USD) to develop lymphedema detection device for breast cancer survivors | Ida Grønborg 📌 Granite Bio launches with $100M to develop autoimmune therapies 📌 Coologics raises $3m in oversubscribed seed round to develop drug-free v*ginal infection treatments | Kimberly Langdon M.D. ⁣ 📌 Overture Life secures $20.6M to advance IVF automation 📌 Ovo Labs debuts with £4m seed to tackle egg quality and reproductive longevity ⁣ 📌 Evvy partners with fertility clinics to probe link between vaginal microbiome and IVF outcomes | Kate McLean MD, MPH, FACOG, Pita Navarro 📌 gametoGEN GmbH opens first U.S clincial site for pivotal Fertilo study ⁣ 📌 Maternie tracks the $30m of U.S women's health funding cuts so far in 2025 | Meghan McCarthy 📌 Jobs! ⁣ And even more! 🥳

Research has pointed to microbial imbalances as a possible factor in IVF failure, pregnancy loss, and preterm birth — but testing for these imbalances has yet to become part of routine fertility care. This large patient study by Evvy could bring answers helping doctors and patients to make more personalized, informed decisions about care. Full story: https://lnkd.in/ecsDfU9D

LifeMD is expanding into women’s health with the acquisition of Optimal Human Health - a provider with a strong focus on osteoporosis and hormone care. “Expanding LifeMD’s virtual care, prescription, and wellness portfolio into adjacent markets where traditional U.S. healthcare has consistently failed to meet the needs of patients—particularly women—is central to our growth strategy,” said Jessica Friedeman, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Women’s Health at LifeMD. Full story: https://lnkd.in/dQtT9FxH

One in five women who survive breast cancer will develop lymphedema, a chronic buildup of fluid that causes pain, swelling, and reduced mobility - often for life. Cacto Health is developing an at-home device which monitors and detects early signs of fluid buildup in just five minutes a week - compared to the current method of manual measurement which often happens only once the arm is enlarged by at least 10%. Now, Cacto Health has secured DKK 3 million (~$457K) to advance its home-monitoring solution. “It’s tough to stand in front of a group of investors and explain why fluid in the arm matters. Many see it as cosmetic – but it’s about pain, mobility, mental well-being, and quality of life. It should be common sense,” said Ida Grønborg, CEO and co-founder of Cacto Health. Full story: https://lnkd.in/eq3yXtgi

Female-led biotech company Gameto has announced the opening of its first U.S. clinical site for enrolment in its pivotal Fertilo study - its technology that matures eggs outside the body and is therefore a less invasive and easier way for women to preserve their fertility. "Opening our first U.S. clinical site is a critical step in expanding access to our innovative technology and gathering the data needed to transform the future of fertility care." Dr Beryl I. Walker CEO of Gameto https://lnkd.in/eiY7pxuS

"The overwhelming interest in our seed round validates the critical need for a more effective treatment for vaginal infections. We are thrilled to welcome our new investors and leverage their expertise to accelerate our growth and deliver impactful solutions to female patients and their clinicians." Kimberly Langdon M.D., Coologics Coologics’ flagship product is Vlisse, a novel drug-free treatment for vaginal infections. Vlisse is a tampon-like device designed to treat infections including vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), bacterial vaginosis, and mixed infections using a patented cooling mechanism. This approach is a shift from traditional antifungal drugs, and focuses instead on restoring the vaginal environment to a healthy state without the use of traditional antibiotics or drugs. It also aims to minimize the risk of antibiotic resistance. https://lnkd.in/eU4DFVNV

🔥 Here’s your catch-up on everything women’s health innovation and FemTech from the last week.⁣ ⁣ All of these stories are free to read in our weekly newsletter. ⁣ 📌 $1.8m pre-seed for Trellis Health pregnancy and postpartum support app | Estelle Giraud, PhD ⁣ 📌 HerMD pivots to virtual care following clinic closures ⁣ 📌 Alloy Women's Health introduces weight care program for menopausal and perimenopausal women 📌 Fertility struggles take stark toll on mental health, careers and finances - new research from Maven Clinic 📌 Diagnostic tampon from Daye can identify HPV better than tests, study suggests ⁣ 📌 Why women are turning to Traditional Chinese Medicine for their healthcare needs 📌 49Care launches Canada’s first at-home menopause test | Marion Ulmann ⁣ 📌 Pacify and Seven Starling partner on maternal health benefits and mental health 📌 Understanding women as digital health consumers - new Rock Health analysis ⁣ 📌 Microplastics found in human ovary follicular fluid for the first time ⁣ 📌 The new baby boom: how the White House is looking to jumpstart the nation’s birth rate 📌 Jobs! ⁣ And even more! 🥳 ____________________________ 📩 Join 7,990 subscribers who stay ahead of women's health innovation and FemTech news with the free weekly FutureFemHealth newsletter: www.futurefemhealth.com

80% of Alloy Women's Health users cited weight-related symptoms of menopause as a key concern for them - and 60% said they were interested in combining GLP-1s with menopause hormone therapy (MHT). In response, co-founders Anne Fulenwider and Monica Molenaar are introducing a weight care program designed for menopausal and perimenopausal women that combines GLP-1 medications with MHT and whole-person care. Full story: https://lnkd.in/e9DanFcU