Global Women’s HealthTech Awards

Antiva Biosciences

Antiva Biosciences, Inc. is a venture-backed biopharmaceutical company developing novel, topical therapeutics for the treatment of pre-cancerous lesions caused by HPV, before they progress to invasive cancers.

The company’s non-surgical alternative for treatment of cervical neoplasias could be a major advancement for women’s health around the world by improving access to care in communities where resources are scarce and enabling women to self-treat in the privacy of their homes. For more information, visit www.antivabio.com

InnAccel

Inadequate fetal monitoring, and thus undetected fetal asphyxia, is a major cause of intrapartum deaths. InnAccel has developed Fetal Lite, an AI-powered, fetal heart rate monitor for mothers in labor or post 36 weeks of gestation. Fetal Lite, based on next-gen EMG signal processing, is more accurate, reliable, and easier to use compared to conventional Doppler-based devices.

Fetal Lite will expand access to fetal monitoring, thus reducing intrapartum deaths through better diagnosis and more effective care. The company has also developed Saans, a portable, neonatal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device designed to universalize breathing support for infants with respiratory distress, which is responsible for over a million deaths each year. For more information, visit www.innaccel.com

NIRAMAI

NIRAMAI has developed a novel software-based medical device to detect early-stage breast cancer in a simple and private way. Their solution is a low cost, accurate, automated, portable cancer screening tool that works for women of all age groups and breast densities, addressing a key unmet need in cancer screening.

The core technology of this solution is based on their patented machine learning algorithms over thermal images for accurate detection of breast cancer. This unique solution can be used as a cancer diagnosis test in hospitals for regular preventive health checkups, and also for large scale screening in rural and semi-urban areas. For more information, visit www.niramai.com

UE LifeSciences

UE LifeSciences has developed iBreastExam, a radiation-free device that enables earlier stage detection of breast cancer at low-cost and minimal training compared to other options. To date, the company has reached over 500,000 women, helping to detect over 200 cases of breast cancer. For more information, visit www.uelifesciences.com

About the World Bank Group

The World Bank provides financing, global knowledge, and long-term commitment to help low- and middle-income countries end poverty, achieve sustainable growth, and invest in opportunity for all. We comprise the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the world’s largest development bank, and the International Development Association (IDA), one of the largest sources of funding for the world’s poorest countries.

With the other World Bank Group institutions as well as partners across the public and private sectors, we are helping build solutions to the global challenges of the 21st century in all major sectors of development. A world where no one lives in poverty and everyone has the opportunity for a better life is within our reach.

About the IFC

IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In the fiscal year 2021, IFC committed a record $31.5 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information, visit www.ifc.org