What's Happening?
At the HLTH25 conference in Las Vegas, a significant focus was placed on the need for increased investment in women's health. Despite a 59% increase from the previous year, only 4% of the $26.5 billion
venture capital invested in healthcare in 2023 was directed towards women's health companies. This was highlighted during a women's health breakfast panel, where Oriana Papin-Zoghbi, CEO of AOA Dx, discussed the challenges of securing investment for women's health initiatives. AOA Dx is developing a blood-based diagnostic tool for early-stage ovarian cancer detection, a critical need given that most diagnoses occur at advanced stages. The panel emphasized the underrepresentation of women in clinical trials and the decrease in National Institutes of Health funding for women's health research. The Women's Health Fund, launched to address these gaps, aims to invest in life sciences funds focusing on women's health, with support from organizations like the American Heart Association and the Society for Women's Health Research.
Why It's Important?
The focus on women's health at HLTH25 underscores the ongoing disparities in healthcare investment and research. Women remain underrepresented in clinical trials, which can lead to treatments that do not adequately address their specific health needs. The decrease in funding for women's health research further exacerbates these issues. By highlighting these gaps, the conference aims to drive more investment into women's health, potentially leading to better health outcomes and more equitable healthcare solutions. The Women's Health Fund's initiative to invest in life sciences funds is a strategic move to bridge these gaps, offering a pathway for sustainable growth in women's health research and development.
What's Next?
The Women's Health Fund plans to invest in 15 top-performing life sciences funds, aiming to support companies from series A through exit. This approach seeks to ensure steady and sustainable growth in women's health initiatives. The fund's focus on evidence-based growth, rather than hype-driven valuations, is intended to create long-term impact in the sector. The upcoming publication of AOA Dx's research on successful exits in women's health could further encourage investment by demonstrating the potential for returns in this area. The full findings are expected to be shared at the 2026 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, potentially influencing future investment strategies.
Beyond the Headlines
The discussions at HLTH25 highlight broader ethical and societal implications of gender disparities in healthcare. The historical exclusion of women from clinical trials until 1993 has left a significant gap in scientific data, impacting the development of treatments tailored to women's needs. Addressing these disparities is not only a matter of equity but also of scientific advancement, as more comprehensive data can lead to more effective healthcare solutions. The push for increased investment in women's health is a step towards rectifying decades of oversight and ensuring that healthcare systems are inclusive and representative of all populations.
