Femtech is becoming a bigger focus, but there are still gaps around diagnosing and treating chronic conditions afflicting millions of women. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is one of them. It’s a common metabolic reproductive disorder that is lifelong, incurable and largely goes undiagnosed despite potentially impacting more than a quarter of women globally. The condition elevates the risk of diabetes fourfold and the risk of infertility 15-fold.

Enter Simone Health, a company supporting women living with complex, chronic conditions through data-driven care and connection. It currently focuses on the management of PCOS, with its main offering being a mobile app that combines clinically validated nutrition, exercise, stress and sleep guidance specific to PCOS. 

The Nuts & Bolts

Problem: Women’s health issues are often overlooked. Those can include hormonal imbalances, such as endometriosis, thyroid disorders, menopause, or even trying to conceive with an above average BMI. 

PCOS, in particular, is a hormone disorder impacting infertility and metabolism that scientists are just beginning to understand​. It affects one in 10 women of childbearing age and impacts women of all races and ethnicities. Global prevalence of PCOS is estimated to be between 6% and 26%; in the U.S. it’s between 6% and 12%. 

Studies show that up to 70% of women with the condition are undiagnosed, with many finding out in their 20s and 30s when they’re trying to conceive. There’s no single test to diagnose PCOS. Doctors usually look at medical history, do a physical exam and administer different tests to help identify the condition and rule out other causes. Women with PCOS can also experience it differently, meaning there’s no-one-size-fits-all treatment and it can take years to find the right one. Patients also may receive little information post-diagnosis regarding long-term complications, treatment options, or emotional support and counseling. Weight loss is commonly prescribed.

Solution: Simone Health’s mobile app delivers PCOS guidance that is evidence-based, compassionate and tailored. The app combines clinically-validated content, tools and tracking developed by a team of PCOS physicians, psychologists, dietitians and personal trainers. 

Alongside the app, Simone Health offers at-home blood tests for PCOS that are easy to use and comparatively affordable, and allow the company to provide users with data on a quarterly basis, with a focus on metabolic health. The tests are the same ones run by gynecologists and fertility clinics. Simone Health offers them directly to consumers for less combined with counseling. 

PCOS is just the start. The company’s long-term vision is to target other chronic health conditions that exclusively or disproportionately impact women, and become the go-to platform for women’s metabolic health by addressing menstrual dysfunction, endometriosis, thyroid disorders, menopause, postpartum health and depression, among other issues. Simone Health is also amassing a wealth of biomarker data, which can potentially be helpful in furthering research efforts around women’s metabolic health.

Getting to know Simone Health

Simone Health was founded by CEO Maria Wang-Faulkner and CTO Pete Hamling. A repeat founder, Maria has expertise spanning healthcare, product and business development. Her experience includes launching early-stage products at Google, helping to facilitate access to drugs while working for the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and being an executive coach. Pete has spent over 20 years in the software industry, including C-level experience and a previous stint as a founder.

Why now?

As femtech accelerates, we believe Simone Health is poised to serve a large market by providing better care for chronic metabolic disorders, starting with PCOS. The global femtech market is estimated to be worth about $35 billion currently, according to CB Insights, and could increase to $50 billion by 2025. There’s also potential for Simone Health to capitalize on data and insights gleaned from its user base. Data plays are valuable, as demonstrated by Roche’s $1.9 billion acquisition of Flatiron Health in 2018.

The future of Simone Health

The company is currently focused on growing its app user base in the U.S. We look forward to supporting the team as they strive to become a key platform for women’s metabolic health.

You can learn more about Simone Health at: https://meetsimone.com/ 

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