Melbourne-based femtech start-up Ovum has begun clinical trials on its on AI-powered preventative healthcare tool for women.
The six-month-long studies will take place at a pair of Sydney hospitals and aim to test whether Ovum’s AI health journal can help women take greater control over their own health data and nudge then toward more preventive care.
The trials will track whether regular use of the Ovum app – into which participants log symptoms, upload medical reports, and sync wearable-device data – leads to higher uptake of preventative behaviours like screenings and check-ups, including during pregnancy.
University of NSW obstetrics professor Amanda Henry is taking on the role of investigator for the Ovum studies. She said clinical trials like this one will help bridge the pervasive health data gap for women.
“As a doctor and researcher, I’ve seen firsthand how systemic gaps in care can lead to poorer outcomes for women, especially those navigating high-risk pregnancies,” Professor Henry said.
“These studies are a chance to change that trajectory, and to build an equitable healthcare system for women on their healthcare journey, through all stages of life.”
Ovum founder and CEO Dr Ariella Heffernan-Marks said putting the product through formal ethics and research scrutiny was a must.
“As a medical professional, it was incredibly important to me that Ovum underwent rigorous reviews regarding ethics and standards from the very beginning,” she said.
“Other apps do not go through this process or often do so after being in the market for years. By launching these clinical trials, we’re not just validating Ovum’s technology, we’re pioneering a new standard for how women’s health tech should be developed, tested and trusted.”
The start-up has secured $40,000 in follow-on funding from long-time pharmaceuticals investor Soul Pattinson, earmarked for the trial phase and product refinements.
The fresh capital comes on top of a $1.7 million pre-seed round announced in February and backed by Giant Leap, Antler, Wollemi Capital and LaunchVic’s Alice Anderson Fund.
Ovum plans a public launch on Apple’s App Store later this month as it seeks to help cover the US$1 trillion global gender health gap.
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