SBRI Healthcare, in partnership with the Health Innovation Network, has awarded £1.3 million to support the development of 14 innovations addressing women’s health challenges. The funding, provided through the Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC), will support six-month feasibility studies across various women’s health areas including gynaecological conditions, mental health, and chronic conditions.
“It’s fantastic to see new technologies evolving that could make a real difference to improving women’s health, from those experiencing gynaecological and fertility problems to supportive aids during childbirth. Innovations such as these can play more and more of a part in improving care for women,” said Dr Sue Mann, National Clinical Director for women’s health at NHS England.
The funded projects include:
Birth and Perinatal Care:
- BirthGlide Limited (£99,836): Developing a device to prevent difficult births during the pushing stage of labor and reduce traumatic interventions
- Peripear Ltd (£90,779): Creating a wearable device to support perineal stretching during the second stage of labor
- The Essential Baby Company (£77,098): haPPIE: SHE Cares project supporting Black and Ethnically Minoritized women during the perinatal period
Reproductive and Gynaecological Health:
- ScreenIn3D Limited (£99,655): Developing an organ-on-a-chip platform to model embryo implantation
- Neotherix Limited (£99,981): Creating an innovative device for recto-vaginal fistula treatment
- Liberum Health Ltd (£99,942): Developing a tampon-like device for delivering pain medication for menstrual pain and endometriosis
- Signal Enhancement Diagnostics Limited (£99,221): Creating a blood-based test for endometriosis diagnosis
- Spryt Ltd (£100,000): Using AI to increase cervical screening rates in North Central London
Mental Health and Chronic Conditions:
- DDM Health Limited (£78,063): Enhancing the Gro Health platform for women with chronic conditions
- Queen Mary University/Samphire Neuroscience (£88,811): Validating the Nettle device for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Holly Health Ltd (£79,247): Developing a digital health coaching service for binge eating challenges
- Unravel Health Limited (£99,725): Creating a hormone monitor for migraine prediction and management
- Lighthearted AI Health Limited (£99,125): Developing LightScope for detecting heart valve disease in women
- Signatur Biosciences Ltd (£96,055): Advancing OncoSignatur Breast for improved breast cancer prognosis
“The SBRI Healthcare awards help the NHS to develop new technologies and solutions to address some of the biggest healthcare challenges facing society. We have selected these innovations because they have the potential to make a big difference to women’s health,” said Verena Stocker, Interim Director of Innovation, Research, Life Sciences and Strategy at NHS England and Chief Executive Officer of the Accelerated Access Collaborative.
The program will additionally support awarded projects through the NICE Metatool, helping optimize their development plans and evidence generation for bringing products to market.
“As Co-chair, it was inspiring to see so many groundbreaking ideas backed up with industry partners. By supporting high-risk, high-reward solutions, this competition has aligned with the NHS’s vision for better care and outcomes for women,” noted Swapnil Gadgil, CEO and Co-Founder of Therapy Box and Harley Street Physiotherapy and Co-Chair of the SBRI Healthcare Women’s health panel.
The competition was open to private, public, and third sector organizations, including large corporations, SMEs, charities, universities, and NHS providers, reflecting a broad approach to fostering innovation in women’s health care.
