Boost for endometriosis with $13.5m Heranova Lifesciences debut
The Boston-based startup has said it will bring to market non-invasive diagnosis tests for endometriosis as well as two therapeutic programs for endometriosis and bacterial vaginosis.
Heranova Lifesciences, a global women’s health company, has announced (28 Dec) its debut launch as it completes a $13.5m seed and seed+ funding round.
The company is set to be a major boost for endometriosis sufferers in particular. The Boston-based startup has said it will bring to market non-invasive diagnosis tests for endometriosis as well as two therapeutic programs for endometriosis and bacterial vaginosis.
The endometriosis care gap
Endometriosis is a common and debilitating disease which typically takes up to 8-12 years to diagnose. There is no cure, and treatment only reduces severity of symptoms. An estimated 176 million endometriosis patients worldwide suffer from excessive pain, abnormal menstrual bleeding and infertility.
Heranova aims to introduce innovative solutions to address this care gap.
“The diagnostic products developed by our R&D team have received endorsement from global leading KOLs (key opinion leaders) as they may help to significantly shorten the time from disease onset to diagnosis and subsequent treatment,” said Heranova’s Chief Diagnostic Medical Officer Dr Farideh Bischoff.
"Having access to convenient and reliable diagnostic tests will be a key milestone in the overall management of endometriosis and other women's diseases."
Heranova joins a number of start-ups and researchers working on endometriosis. In 2022, Hera Biotech, raised $1.9m in seed funding for its non-surgical diagnostic test for endometriosis. In 2023 it announced its first patient enrolled in a diagnostic study.
DotLab is another healthtech company and is working on DotEndo, a non-invasive blood test for helping diagnosis of active endometriosis.
Heranova - in the know
Investors in Heranova for this round were Pivotal bioVenture Partners China, Sinovation Ventures, Emerging Technology Partners and Triwise Capital.
Heranova was founded in 2022 by serial entrepreneurs and already has established presence in the US and Asia.
Looking ahead it will not solely focus on endometriosis and will develop integrated care solutions for many unmet needs in women’s healthcare.
Current areas of focus alongside endometriosis and female fertility and bacterial vaginosis (BV). It is actively seeking global or regional partnerships for other women’s health indications.
"Despite the fact that women play a critical role in modern societies and economy, the awareness and solutions for their critical health issues are largely under-recognised and outdated," said Dr. Jonathan Y. Zhao, co-founder and CEO of Heranova.
"As a global Women's Health company, Heranova was founded with a mission to challenge this status quo by taking a holistic approach so that we could enable women to live their better lives."