Teal Health raises $10m ahead of launch of at-home cervical screening device
On track to be the first FDA-approved, at-home, self-collect cervical cancer screening device
Teal Health, a women's health company on a mission to eliminate cervical cancer in the US, has announced today the close of an additional $10 million in seed funding - bringing total funding to $23 million to date.
The investment supports the upcoming launch of the Teal Wand, a purpose-built device that allows a woman to collect her own vaginal sample for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, a critical piece in cervical cancer prevention - all from the comfort, convenience, and privacy of her home. The device removes the need for an invasive, often uncomfortable exam. It aims to be the first FDA-approved, at-home, self-collect cervical cancer screening device and is currently under FDA review.
This investment round was led by Emerson Collective and Forerunner with continued support from existing investors, such as Serena Ventures, Metrodora, and new partner Labcorp.
Nicole Johnson, a partner at Forerunner, shared her excitement about co-leading this investment with Emerson Collective:
"There is no shortage of reasons for wanting to improve on the traditional healthcare system, but one unequivocal truth is that many healthcare experiences are not built with the end consumer as the primary customer. This feels especially true for women's health, despite women accounting for ~80% of healthcare spending.
“Teal Health represents a unique opportunity to recreate the experience for one of women's most routine and critical health screenings, making cervical cancer screens remarkably more comfortable and convenient. Teal's debut product is a prime example of how a dramatically better experience could mean dramatically better adherence, quality of care, and outcomes."
Cervical screening can help eliminate cervical cancer
Teal Health was established to address the reality that today, 92 million U.S. women and people with a cervix are of screening age, but 1 in 4 are not screening routinely due to limited access and discomfort with the invasive exam.
Cervical cancer screening is a key part of women's preventive health and the only cancer screening that starts as young as 21 and spans at least forty years of a woman's life, through some of the most busy and demanding years.
With Teal Health's at-home screening device and telehealth platform, the company is uniquely positioned to dramatically increase the rate of screening engagement in the U.S., thus significantly improving women's health outcomes.
The industry has shifted toward Primary HPV testing for cervical cancer screening, and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has included self-collection in its recent draft recommendations, recognizing its role in increasing adherence to screening.
The USPSTF highlights that self-collected HPV samples, which the Teal Wand is, are as accurate as clinician-collected samples and are particularly effective in reaching underscreened individuals and historically underserved populations. Most notably, evidence shows that at-home self-collection can significantly boost screening rates.
In a recent nationwide clinical study conducted by Teal Health, 94% of women across all demographics preferred at-home screening over traditional in-clinic screenings with a speculum and brush. By aligning with evidence-based guidelines and addressing barriers like convenience and comfort, Teal Health aims to allow more women to stay on track with critical cervical cancer screenings.
Matt Bettonville, Investor at Yosemite, which manages Emerson Collective's oncology investments said:
"Cervical cancer is detectable and treatable if you can catch it early enough.
"Teal can take the next step towards rendering this disease non-lethal—making the screening process easier and more convenient for millions of women in the U.S."
Continued success for Teal Health
This successful funding round builds on the company's recent achievements, including a $1.68 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Cancer Institute and FDA Breakthrough Device Designation. These milestones will enable Teal Health to advance its go-to-market strategy for its thoughtfully designed, research-backed at-home cervical cancer screening, upon FDA approval. The emphasis on design ensures the device is effective and user-friendly, allowing more women to take control of their health.
Kara Egan, CEO of Teal Health, commented on the significance of the funding round, saying,
"This investment allows us to bring Teal Health's vision to life, getting our transformational screening solution into the hands of women. We're here to create a new path forward, enabling women to take control of their health with confidence and ease. We're deeply grateful to our investors, who are as committed as we are to eliminating cervical cancer and breaking down barriers to essential healthcare."
For the month of January, in honor of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, Teal Health is donating $1 to the American Cancer Society for every woman and person with a cervix who pledges to screen. See details on how to pledge on Teal's Instagram.