MENOPAUSE 2.0 - a global virtual conference about menopause

Menopause 2.0 is a global virtual conference covering menopause as a societal, economic, workplace and healthcare issue. 

Join us for a day of insightful talks, educational panels, thought-provoking discussions, groundbreaking research and a showcase of best practices and innovations. 

We are bringing together key stakeholders: researchers, scientists, clinicians, startup founders, pharma, investors, policymakers, organisations, and media to have a conversation about menopause. 

Why we’re doing this? Because it’s time we talk about these numbers and do something about it: 

  • It is estimated that more than 450 million women worldwide have menopausal or perimenopausal symptoms.

  • 13 million people are currently peri- or menopausal in the UK which is equivalent to a third of the entire UK female population.

  • 9 in 10 women were never educated about menopause.

  • of women going to their GP with symptoms of the menopause are being offered antidepressants

  • In the UK, only 59% of medical schools included mandatory menopause education in their curriculum.

  • There are at least 34 menopause symptoms women experience, including hot flashes, mood swings, anxiety, poor sleep, brain fog, etc.

  • Menopause symptoms cost billions in medical expenses and lost days of work. A Mayo Clinic study estimates $1.8 billion in lost work time per year and $26.6 billion annually when medical expenses are added, in the U.S. alone.

Agenda

2pm - 2:15pm -Addressing Menopause: a $120 Billion Opportunity”, opening keynote by Lucy Pérez, Health Equity Coleader of the McKinsey Health Institute and Senior Partner with McKinsey & Company

Investment in menopause treatments has historically lagged other opportunities in femtech; yet, the global value of addressing menopause is sized at over $120B. This presentation will characterize the major clinical and economic opportunities in addressing menopause, and explore how stakeholders throughout the healthcare ecosystem can meaningfully support and empower women during this pivotal stage of life.

2:15pm - 2:30pm - “It's not you. It's perimenopause.”, keynote by Alicia Clausel, Clinical Research Scientist at Oura, and Cornelia Hainer, Head of Science at Clue

One billion women worldwide have experienced perimenopause or menopause, yet research on the topic is extremely limited. Join Alicia Clausel, Clinical Research Scientist at Oura, and Cornelia Hainer, Head of Science at Clue, as they explore why perimenopause and menopause are having a moment.

2:30pm - 3:15pm - “Demystifying and Embracing Menopause with Knowledge and Solutions”, panel discussion

Join us for an insightful panel discussion as we delve into the multifaceted journey of menopause and its impact on women's lives. We will explore a spectrum of topics, from navigating the complexities of perimenopause to managing the challenges of menopause and postmenopause, as well as possible solutions and innovative approaches to support women during this transformative time. Our esteemed panelists will share their expertise and experiences, offering invaluable insights into the diverse range of issues faced by women during this transitional phase of life.

Meet our panelists and a moderator:

Trisha VanDusseldorp, PhD, CSCS-D, FISSN, Senior Director of Clinical Research at Bonafide Health

Kathleen Jordan, MD, NCMP, Chief Medical Officer at Midi Health

Stephanie Sassman, Portfolio Leader, Women's Health in the Global Product Strategy group of Roche

Abida Dhukai, Nurse Practitioner at Science&Humans

Maryon Stewart, founder and CEO of Femmar

3:15pm - 3:40pm - “Cracking the genetic code of menopause, keynote by Dr Stasa Stankovic, a geneticist and bioinformatician with a PhD in Reproductive Genomics from the University of Cambridge

This talk will focus on deciphering the genetic architecture of reproductive aging, menopause and fertility, and their link to health outcomes in women using large-scale human genomics data. Dr Stankovic will talk about her work that led to the discovery of genetic signals that influence the age women begin menopause and the first evidence of the ability to, through gene manipulation, extend reproductive lifespan and improve fertility. These findings are now paving the path toward the first genetic test for the prediction of menopause time and next-generation therapeutics for ovary-centric disorders.

3:40pm - 4pm - “Empowered at Work: Thriving Through Menopause Transitions”, keynote by Helena Milner-Smith and Dr Nadine Kramer, Of Counsel, Covington

In this session, we will explore the multifaceted ways in which menopause impacts the workplace environment. Key discussion points will be:

  • How does menopause impact the workplace?

  • How can we empower those going through menopause transitions at work?

  • Considerations during recruitment

  • Legal protections, including workplace adjustments

  • Introducing a menopause policy

  • Encouraging workplace conversations

4pm - 4:45pm - “Navigating the Change: Redefining Workplace Culture, Leadership, and Recruitment in the Era of Menopause", panel discussion 

This session aims to explore the intersection of menopause, workplace culture, leadership, and recruitment. As menopause is a natural phase in a woman's life, it brings unique challenges that can significantly impact professional experiences. The discussion will delve into how organizations can foster a supportive workplace culture that acknowledges and accommodates the needs of women going through menopause. Additionally, the panel will explore the role of leadership in creating inclusive environments, as well as the impact of menopause on recruitment practices. By addressing these aspects, the panel aims to contribute to a more informed and empathetic approach to menopause within the professional sphere.

Meet our panelists and a moderator: 

Leila Thabet, General Manager, UK & International, Maven Clinic 

Cristina Arbelaez is Global Director New Categories at Essity

Dr Nigina Muntean, Chief of Innovation at UNFPA

Amira Ghouaibi, Head, Women’s Health, World Economic Forum

Rachel Braun Scherl, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of SPARK Solutions for Growth

4:45pm - 5pm - “Understanding Surgical Menopause”, keynote by Ana G Herrera, founder and CEO of Hormone University

Ana G Herrera will go through the physiological changes and psychological challenges women face after surgical menopause, "the psychological loss of your femininity" as well as the sudden hormonal imbalances and potential long-term health effects. She will take us through her personal story, treatment options, lifestyle strategies and psychological and emotional aspects of it. 

5 pm - 5:50pm - “Transforming Menopause Experiences Through Innovation”, innovation Showcase 

Our innovation showcase spotlights some of the most pioneering companies in the menopause space and serves as a platform for these trailblazers to showcase their groundbreaking work and share how their products and services are revolutionizing the experience of menopause for women worldwide. Join us to gain a comprehensive look at the spectrum of innovations transforming the landscape of menopause management and to hear from: 

Nora Lansen, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Elektra Health 

Priya Patel, founder and CEO of Wellen

Julija Jurić,  Innovation manager at GlycanAge

About our sponsors and partners

Covington & Burling LLP (Covington) is a pre-eminent international law firm with more than 1,300 attorneys and advisors and offices in Beijing, Boston, Brussels, Dubai, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Washington, Shanghai, and Seoul. They are known for the high quality of their work, in-depth knowledge of key industries, sophistication in complex corporate, regulatory, advisory, and contentious matters, deep loyalty to clients, and commitment to the highest professional and ethical standards. They are known for creating novel solutions to their client’s toughest problems, successfully trying their toughest cases, and delivering commercially practical advice of the highest quality. Covington is also known for being a leader in the Life Sciences sector and has a dedicated Digital Health team that offers unsurpassed breadth and depth of expertise and experience concerning the legal, regulatory, and policy issues that affect digital health products and services.

Bonafide® Health, LLC was launched with a simple mission in mind: to provide women with novel, safe and highly effective treatment options for relief from symptoms throughout their menopause journey. As part of Bonafide's scientific research and product development process, the brand prides itself on its deep understanding of the biological and physiological changes that affect women due to hormonal fluctuations experienced as they age. Trusted by more than 14,000 healthcare professionals, Bonafide provides first-of-its-kind, evidence-based solutions developed from naturally derived ingredients that are hormone-free and drug-free. 

ŌURA is the company behind Oura Ring—the smart ring that delivers personalized health data, insights, and daily guidance. With sleep as its foundation, Oura Membership fosters healthy habits to make wellness and recovery a mindful, daily practice. Validated against medical gold standards and driven by continuous monitoring of individual biometrics, the lightweight and comfortable Oura Ring is one of the most accurate wearables available. For organizations, Oura For Business connects individual well-being with collective outcomes by making performance measurable, actionable, and attainable. Founded in Finland with offices in Oulu, Helsinki, San Francisco, and San Diego, ŌURA has raised more than $350 million and is valued at $2.55 billion.

Science&Humans is dedicated to facilitating a healthier, engaged, and fulfilling midlife experience for all. Focused on Menopause and Andropause treatments, S&H is Canada's leading direct-to-consumer platform offering immediate access to scientifically proven treatments to over 15,000 patients and counting! Science&Humans is supported by an expert medical advisory team, including endocrinologists and gynecologists. They are proud to be filling the gap in corporate menopause education and awareness through their comprehensive employee hormone health support solution Meno.Care.

Essity is a globally leading hygiene and health company, breaking barriers to wellbeing. Today, their sustainable innovations from globally trusted brands, designed for everybody and every body, care for the well-being of 1 billion people in 150 countries every day. Their leading global brands include TENA, Tork, Actimove, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic, Vinda and Zewa. Essity has about 36,000 employees and the company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. 

About Women of Wearables

Women of Wearables started in 2016 as a small meetup group bringing together women in wearable technology. Since then, WoW has grown to be a leading global organisation and ecosystem that brings together like-minded women and allies in health tech, digital health and women’s health from more than 50 countries worldwide. Our members are startup founders, designers, technologists, industry experts, researchers, bloggers, journalists, investors, and many more. If you are looking to learn, network, and find your next job opportunity in health tech and femtech - you are in the right place. To learn more about Women of Wearables and to become a WoW member, click here.


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