Momentum and investment are propelling breakthroughs in women’s health and pregnancy health. Our latest blog post features a conversation with Naomi Kelman, a seasoned executive in the healthcare industry and Mirvie board member, and Maneesh Jain, Mirvie CEO and co-founder. Naomi and Maneesh discuss opportunities to create new standards of care within women’s health and highlight innovation driving this forward.
Maneesh: As a five-time executive and CEO for healthcare companies, what lessons are most applicable to women's health, which has historically been left behind?
Naomi: I am excited for the future of women’s health because it feels like the urgent need to focus more on the field has finally been acknowledged, and we are starting to see some notable investment.
In terms of how to capitalize on this critical need, there are three lessons I’ve learned that can help accelerate progress in women’s health.
The first is to dream BIG. Too often, improvements are marginal and need to be more substantial. Companies often follow the pack and only slightly tweak what already exists. We need visionaries who create new categories and solve long-standing problems and gaps to improve women's health.
Pregnancy health is a great example. For centuries, pregnancy has been shrouded in mystery and we’ve relied on outdated standards of care that don’t always address truly huge problems: Who is at the highest risk of complications? Why are these devastating complications impacting some pregnancies while sparing others? What I love about Mirvie is how the company is pioneering a new approach and market for understanding pregnancy with biological innovation. The ability to finally predict complications before moms and babies get into crisis is trailblazing.
The second lesson I’ve learned is the importance of addressing quality of life as much as the health issues themselves. This is particularly important as it relates to pregnancy health. At Willow, we did this by unplugging moms from an outlet in the wall when pumping breast milk and giving them their freedom of movement back. By predicting pregnancy complications before they happen, Mirvie gives moms and their doctors the knowledge to be prepared and to take preventative action. Improving the quality of life should be a critical element incorporated into healthcare solutions moving forward.
The third lesson I’ve learned is empowering women themselves to spotlight their needs and experiences moves the needle. I applaud the women who have shared their stories about formerly taboo topics like miscarriage, fertility, and menopause. Previously, women didn't always talk about their health so openly. Today, a lot of the positive change and momentum we see is thanks to women talking openly about their experiences.
Mirvie is also part of this dialogue in creating awareness about women’s health conditions like preeclampsia, which threatens the lives of moms and babies. By creating awareness about this dangerous complication and giving women and their doctors preventative tools like Mirvie’s test, I am hopeful that we can usher in a new era in pregnancy care.
Maneesh: These lessons are all so valuable to advance women’s health. We saw non-invasive prenatal tests for Down syndrome take off as one of the fastest-growing clinical tests. The healthcare system didn’t push the tests. Rather, expecting moms drove demand because they wanted that knowledge. Women make 80% of healthcare purchasing decisions, and we see that moms being their advocates in healthcare can create advances in how prenatal care is delivered.
Reflecting on your experience in healthcare more broadly, why is now the right time to push for massive shifts in women’s health?
Naomi: Women’s health is at an inflection point, and the field has the potential for continued momentum. Women’s voices are getting louder about solving unmet needs and creating a cultural movement supporting women’s health. We’re starting to see employers, payers, and the public sector recognize that supporting women and their needs is critical. It’s an exciting time for new companies, and we have the chance to create real solutions that solve pressing issues in the space.
Maneesh: Fields like oncology and cardiology are oversubscribed, with so many dollars funding companies chasing similar problems. In women’s health, the sky's the limit. The first wave of innovation in women’s health has focused on access to care and convenience. The next wave of startups is targeting breakthroughs with biological innovation. Mirvie and other emerging startups like Gameto are creating tools grounded in the biological understanding of women’s health. I am curious how you view the ecosystem and Mirvie’s role in this wave of innovation?
Naomi: We're in a new and different phase of healthcare that focuses on prevention. Historically, the focus has been on treating problems that create life-threatening scenarios. Increased focus should zero in on predicting and preventing problems before they happen. That is one of the strengths of Mirvie; empowering moms and their doctors with information and knowledge that will hopefully prevent tragedies and traumas.
Additionally, the rigor and study design that Mirvie is using embraces all women and reflects the highly diverse populations of expecting moms in the U.S. This inclusive approach is a testament to Mirvie’s focus on addressing the needs of all women.
Maneesh: Looking into 2025, what are you most excited about in women’s health?
Naomi: I'm excited to see so much interest and money flowing into women's health across a wide range of needs and solutions. There used to be only a handful of areas and investments in women’s health. Now if you look at a heatmap of investments, the page would be filled with new companies and solutions.
