Aspivix set for UK distribution with device to help reduce pain of coil fittings
New partnership for Swiss-based start-up with UK-based distributor
Swiss women’s health company Aspivix has partnered with UK-based distributor AGHealth to launch its non-traumatic cervical stabilizer, Carevix®, across the UK.
The move signals the start of a broader rollout of the device following its MHRA approval and initial regional pilot adoption last year, as well as growing clinical interest in less painful alternatives to the traditional tenaculum.
Carevix®, is a soft-suction device designed to minimize pain and bleeding during procedures such as IUD insertions.
It will now be made available through AGHealth’s distribution network across NHS and private providers.
Positive regional feedback
Peterborough City Hospital was the first UK site to adopt the device, as part of ASPIVIX’s Ambassador Program, which brought together 21 clinical centres in nine countries. Clinicians in the program reported high usability, with 96% finding the device easy to work with. Patient satisfaction was also strong, with 94% of respondents reporting a positive experience.
Pain during IUD insertion remains a persistent barrier to uptake, with global estimates suggesting up to 45% of women are deterred by fear of the procedure. Much of this anxiety stems from the standard cervical tenaculum, still widely used despite its known association with discomfort and trauma.
The ADVANCE Women Study, a randomized multicentre trial, added weight to Carevix®’s clinical case. It demonstrated a 73% reduction in pain and 78% reduction in bleeding compared to the tenaculum. Results from the study were published in Contraception in 2023.
Charlotte Barker, Director of AGHealth, said:
“At AGHealth, we focus on delivering forward-thinking, evidence-based solutions to clinicians. Carevix® represents exactly the kind of innovation the UK market needs—offering a more dignified, pain-conscious option for gynaecological procedures that women undergo every day.”
ASPIVIX Co-Founder and CEO Mathieu Horras added:
“We are proud to bring Carevix® to the UK in partnership with AGHealth, a company that shares our commitment to advancing women’s health through innovation. With MHRA approval and strong clinical results, Carevix® provides a game-changing solution that improves both patient comfort and clinical confidence.”
The partnership is expected to accelerate access to Carevix® across UK services. AGHealth, already known for its focus on evidence-based women’s health technologies, is positioned to support clinical adoption through education and implementation support.
Carevix® has already garnered international recognition, including a TIME Best Inventions listing in 2024 and an iF Design Award, and is commercially available in several countries with further expansion planned.