London-based Bia Care has launched its virtual clinic to provide women with remote care solutions that ensure they are provided with the knowledge needed to control their symptoms.

Through the clinic, women are given access to evidence-based and clinically validated treatment options, as well as the ability to share their symptoms in a confidential and empathetic setting.

WHY IT MATTERS

The clinic has been backed by a research partnership with Imperial College London to ensure that their innovations in care delivery are backed by scientific investigation.

Amongst this research, results from a joint observational study of over 1,550 women aged 40-70 in the UK show that only a third reported having the tools and understanding to manage their menopause.

The idea for the company was inspired by co-founders, Ms Fernanda Dobal and Dr David Huang, a doctor and NHS Clinical Entrepreneur, who regularly visited a South London menopause cafe, before the pandemic stopped in-person gatherings.

Bia Care's virtual clinic was created out of a need for remote menopause care without the constraints of waiting lists and the expertise of their local doctors.

Treatment options available through the clinic include hormone replacement therapy (HRT), nutrition advice, physiotherapy and emotional fitness.

THE LARGER CONTEXT

Meanwhile, at-home fertility test maker Proov is expanding its footprint to Europe after receiving CE marking for its ovulation-confirming test kit.

In related news, Women Who Tech, a nonprofit to uplift women-led startups, is aiming to close the femtech funding gap with its FemTech and HealthTech Grants Challenge. It is targeting early-stage women-led startups that create female health-focused technology products or services.

ON THE RECORD

Fernanda Dobal, CEO & co-founder of Bia Care, said: “We founded Bia Care to help the increasing number of women who are no longer willing to suffer through menopause in silence. Remote care means that women aren’t subject to a geographic lottery and can access a specialist doctor in Oxfordshire and a dietitian in London, all from the comfort of their home over video call.

"We also know that everyone experiences menopause differently, but is to a large degree a collective experience - and so we provide group consultations where people can come together and not just see a clinician, but also learn from each other and share what they’re going through.”

Michael Niddam, managing director of Kamet Ventures, said: “Menopause care has been an under-researched and under-financed market to date, despite the fact that half the population could benefit from improved treatments in this area.

“In Bia Care we identified massive potential to address a market that is demanding better solutions. Bia’s virtual clinic improves the delivery of menopause care by providing it directly to the user and has the ability to scale to help thousands of women.”