A groundbreaking report from Cure reveals the critical factors driving investment in women’s health, highlighting the importance of scientific expertise, robust clinical data, and prior commercial experience. The 2024 Women’s Health Benchmark Report, created in partnership with the Deerfield Institute, underscores the hurdles and opportunities within this rapidly growing sector.
The Role of Data in Securing Funding
“Evidence-based medicine is the currency of healthcare, yet the lack of data on sex-linked differences in disease, drug responses, medtech efficacy, and health outcomes is a major obstacle to funding,” said Seema Kumar, CEO of Cure.
The report stresses that the ability to generate clinical evidence is pivotal. Companies with strong scientific expertise and commercial leadership are better positioned to attract investors, even in a challenging funding environment.
“The fastest way to accelerate growth in women’s health is to focus on data collection and clinical evidence generation,” Kumar added.
A Legacy of Neglect in Women’s Health Research
Women’s health continues to face a historical deficit in research, which compounds the challenges of securing funding. Women were excluded from clinical trials until 1993, and it wasn’t until 2014 that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) mandated the inclusion of both male and female animals in most preclinical research. This longstanding gap has left many women’s health innovators without the robust datasets investors expect, making it difficult to bridge the funding gap.
Challenges and Opportunities in Investment
The report surveyed over 100 healthcare CEOs, founders, and investors. A key finding is the sector's “chicken-and-egg” problem: investors demand rigorous clinical data, but limited early-stage funding makes producing such evidence unaffordable for many startups.
Despite these challenges, Cure’s report also sheds light on significant opportunities. By prioritising data collection and strengthening clinical trials, women’s health startups can align with investor expectations and tap into an increasingly lucrative market.
Celebrating Women’s Health Innovators
The findings were presented at a special event hosted at Cure’s campus, featuring a panel discussion with key figures, including Katherine Andersen, Seema Kumar, Viq Pervaaz, Wegrzyn, and Dr. Jenica Patterson.
The event also celebrated the achievements of New York-based companies recognised by ARPA-H’s Sprint for Women’s Health. The initiative has allocated $113 million to foster innovation in women’s health research, representing a significant milestone in bridging the funding and data gaps.
Paving the Way Forward
The 2024 Women’s Health Benchmark Report is a rallying cry for a stronger focus on women’s health. It emphasises that overcoming the challenges in investment requires a concerted effort to build clinical evidence, prioritise sex-linked research, and develop commercial leadership.
As the sector grows, the insights from this report offer a roadmap for entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers committed to transforming women’s health outcomes. By addressing the historical neglect of women’s health research, Cure is driving the industry toward a future where women’s health is no longer underfunded or overlooked.
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