ARPA-H’s Bold Vision for Women’s Health Innovation
“This isn’t just an investment in science—it’s an investment in transforming women’s health as we know it,” shared Dr. Renee Wegrzyn, Director of ARPA-H, underscoring the significance of the agency’s $110 million Sprint for Women’s Health. Selected from a record 1,700 proposals, the 23 projects funded by the Sprint aim to address longstanding gaps in women’s health research that have left many critical needs unmet.
Maria Shriver added, “Women’s health is health. It’s time to bring the research, funding, and innovation that has long been absent in this field.” In a time of political uncertainty, the Sprint’s awardees are leading a new era of transformative health solutions that offer hope for real progress in women’s health equity.
Why Does the Sprint for Women’s Health Matter?
Women’s health has long been underserved, with research historically focused on male-centric data, leading to significant gaps in understanding conditions that disproportionately affect women. The ARPA-H Sprint is bridging this divide by tackling critical issues like cardiovascular disease, menopause, brain health, and ovarian health—conditions affecting millions but still under-researched. As Maria Shriver aptly described, “This is our moonshot for women’s health.”
This isn’t just an investment in science—it’s an investment in transforming women’s health as we know it.” Dr. Renee Wegrzyn, Director of ARPA-H
2024 ARPA-H Sprint for Women’s Health Awardees and Their Projects
1. At-Home Health Solutions for Women
Gravidas Diagnostics, Inc. – At-home preeclampsia detection
Creating a point-of-care test that empowers pregnant women to monitor preeclampsia safely from home.
Daré Bioscience, Inc. – Home-based HPV management for cervical cancer prevention
This solution offers a gel-based, minimally invasive product for HPV, helping women proactively manage cervical health.
Glaucus, Inc. – Rapid, affordable STI/UTI diagnostics
Introducing the NanoBioChip, a device that allows quick, multi-pathogen testing from home.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center – Home-based preterm labor treatment
Developing a novel drug delivery system to prevent premature labor, providing peace of mind for expectant mothers.
Aalto University School of Science – Remote maternal-fetal monitoring for labor induction
A wireless monitoring system that supports safer labor induction in high-risk pregnancies.
2. Ovarian Health and Delaying Menopause: Innovative Solutions
Celmatix, Inc. – Extending ovarian function
Targeting molecular pathways to delay menopause, potentially improving health and longevity.
Gameto, Inc. – Ovarian cell implants for menopause relief
Constructing stem cell-derived ovarian tissue to restore hormonal balance and reduce menopause-associated risks.
3. Drug Safety and Sex Differences in Pregnancy
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. – Bioengineered ex utero pregnancy model
Developing a model to study how drugs interact with the placenta, a safer approach to understanding medication impacts on pregnancy.
4. Breakthroughs in Women’s Brain Health and Neurodegenerative Disease Prevention
Massachusetts General Hospital – Wearable glymphatic health tracker
A wireless device for home-based brain health monitoring, aimed at early Alzheimer’s detection.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Migraines and lymphatic treatment
Focusing on a CGRP-related treatment for migraines, specifically addressing women’s higher prevalence.
GE Medical Systems – MRI innovations for women’s brain mapping
Tailoring MRI technology to study women’s brain physiology, particularly glymphatic and lymphatic functions.
Monash University – Nano-drug delivery for ischemic stroke
Creating a device to treat strokes with minimal invasiveness, improving outcomes for women.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc. – Non-invasive brain imaging for neurological disorders
Developing MRI metrics to study gender-based brain differences linked to neurodegenerative diseases.
5. Advancing Pain Measurement and Management for Women
The Washington University – Blood test for endometriosis pain diagnosis
An objective blood-based test to better diagnose and manage endometriosis and chronic pain.
Tufts University – AI-driven smart band-aid for pain
Real-time pain quantification via a wearable patch that monitors biomarkers, enhancing pain management.
California Institute of Technology – Wearable sweat-sensing system
Monitoring sweat analytes to assess pain, especially for conditions like menstrual migraines.
Children’s Research Institute – Eye-based biomarker for chronic pain
Developing a pain assessment tool using eye-based biomarkers, providing a non-invasive measurement.
6. Revolutionary Solutions in Cancer and Chronic Conditions
Wyss Institute – Injectable lymphoid organs for ovarian cancer treatment
A cell-based approach to strengthen immune responses against ovarian cancer.
University of Iowa – Nanoparticle treatment for ovarian cancer
Leveraging nanoparticles to fight late-stage ovarian cancer, targeting the immune system.
Aspira Women's Health – Non-invasive endometriosis blood test
A first-of-its-kind blood test to diagnose endometriosis, bypassing invasive surgery.
General Proximity – IPMs for women’s cancers
Developing a single therapeutic that targets proteins common to multiple women’s cancers.
Nura Health, Inc., Lasa Health, and Dama – Endometriosis precision medicine platform
Combining data and AI to create personalized treatments for endometriosis.
Ancilia Biosciences, Inc. – Microbiome therapies for vaginal health
Harnessing phage technology to restore microbiome balance and treat vaginal infections.
Building a Future of Health Equity for Women
The ARPA-H Sprint for Women’s Health is more than just a funding initiative—it’s a movement toward lasting change. As Maria Shriver puts it, this work is about prioritizing women’s health as essential to the health of our communities. Amid shifting political landscapes, it’s crucial to recognize and support efforts like these that push forward, addressing gaps that have persisted for far too long.
Fempower Health remains committed to tracking the progress of these trailblazing projects, championing each step taken toward true health equity for women. Together, we can help ensure that women’s health remains a priority and that these innovations reach those who need them most.
Sources:
HLTH USA 2024, White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research Part One: Remarks from First Lady Jill Biden
HLTH USA 2024, White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research Part Two: A Conversation Featuring Maria Shriver, Dr. Lucy Pérez, Dr. Carolyn Mazure, and Dr. Renee Wegrzyn
ARPA-H Sprint for Women’s Health: https://arpa-h.gov/engage-and-transition/sprint
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