Wearable Tools for a Lifetime of Women's Health
Join us for “Wearable Tools for a Lifetime of Women’s Health”, an insightful virtual conversation exploring how wearable technologies are transforming women’s health across every life stage. We’ll discuss the latest innovations already on the market and what breakthrough features are likely to be productized next.
Our expert panel brings together leaders from clinical research, global health, investment, and medical device innovation to examine the opportunities and challenges shaping this fast-growing sector. The discussion will also cover the critical path from wellness products to regulated medical devices, including FDA approval, evidence generation, and the future of women’s health R&D worldwide.
Hosted with partners and sponsors, People Science, this event will offer a unique look at how science, technology, and capital are coming together to build smarter tools for lifelong women’s health.
AGENDA
*Please note that all times are in BST.
4.00 pm - 4.05 pm - Welcome words from the WoW team
4.05 - 4.25 pm - Keynote by People Science
4.25 pm - 5.25 pm - Panel discussion and Q&As
5.25 pm - 5.30 pm - Closing words from the WoW team
Meet our speakers:
Azure Grant, Lead Scientist at People Science
Azure Grant is a researcher in metabolic and reproductive health. She is the Lead Scientist at People Science, developing tools and analytics for decentralized participatory research. Her neuroscience PhD was conducted at UC Berkeley, focusing on wearable algorithms to predict the fertile window, automate pregnancy detection, predict labor and more. People Science is a new kind of Clinical Research Organization focused on unlocking the power of alternative
medicines and functional nutrition through rigorous science. Using their proprietary platform, Chloe, they conduct decentralized clinical trials that integrate research effortlessly into daily life, allowing brands to capture complex biological and behavioral data at scale.
Dr. Maike Scharp, Deputy Director of Diagnostics at the Gates Foundation; Global Health Chair, Innovation Equity Forum
Dr. Maike Scharp is Deputy Director of Diagnostics at the Gates Foundation. In this role, she leads the foundation’s strategy for diagnostics and diagnostic medical devices and oversees a portfolio of investments in end-to-end diagnostic product and platform development, with a throughline to patient impact in low- and middle-income countries. She also leads the foundation’s efforts to strengthen the Women’s Health R&D ecosystem within the Gender Equality division and is chair for the Innovation Equity Forum (IEF), a collaborative partnership with over 250 women’s health experts and stakeholders across diverse sectors and geographies. In October 2023, the IEF released the Women’s Health Innovation Opportunity Map 2023, a collaborative framework that outlines 50 equitable, high-return opportunities across the R&D continuum to maximize research and innovation, investments, and global action in women’s health (www.womenshealthinnovation.org). Maike holds a Medical Doctorate from Heidelberg University and a Master of Science in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She has been awarded the American Medical Women’s Association’s Presidential Reward for her work to strengthen the women’s health R&D ecosystem.
Maryann Selfe, founder of Femme Health Alliance
Maryann Selfe is a Swiss-based wealth and investment strategist focused on long-term capital allocation and healthcare innovation. With more than 20 years of experience advising private wealth, family offices, and institutional investors, she previously held senior leadership roles in wealth and asset management, including at Credit Suisse (later UBS), where she oversaw approximately USD 5 billion in assets and advised on more than USD 700 million in client mandates. She is also the founder of Femme Health Alliance, a Swiss non-profit mobilizing capital into women’s health innovation.
Laura Yecies, CEO of Osteoboost Health
Laura Yecies is the CEO of Osteoboost Health, Inc., the company behind the first and only FDA-cleared, non-drug wearable for low bone density. She brings over 30 years of leadership experience across technology, digital health, and medical innovation, with a focus on advancing solutions that address overlooked gaps in women’s health. Under her leadership, the company has secured $4.7 million in NIH grants, acquired and integrated the digital health platform Wellen, established a telehealth partnership with Beluga Health, and contributed to more than 2,500 physicians nationwide prescribing the Osteoboost device to their patients. Osteoboost is the first and only FDA-cleared, non-drug prescription medical device for treating low bone density. It is a Class II medical device cleared through the FDA’s rigorous De Novo pathway and designated a Breakthrough Device. Developed for postmenopausal women with osteopenia, Osteoboost is clinically validated to slow bone loss in the spine and hips. Osteoboost’s vibration therapy is inspired by NASA-funded research on bone loss in astronauts exposed to zero gravity. Designed as a wearable belt, it delivers gentle, targeted vibration directly to the spine and hips, the areas most vulnerable to fractures. Osteoboost is intended for everyday use during activities like walking, cooking, or working, making it easy to integrate into day-to-day life.
Jill Angelo, Vice President, Women’s Health & Commercial Partnerships at ŌURA
Jill Angelo is a healthcare and technology executive, founder, and board director with 25 years of experience spanning Fortune 100, private equity, and venture-backed companies. Jill currently serves as Vice President, Women’s Health & Commercial Partnerships at ŌURA, where she leads global go-to-market strategy and partnerships to expand access to ŌURA’s health platform, with a focus on advancing women’s health and commercial growth. Previously, she was President of Virtual Health at Unified Women’s Healthcare, where she drove digital transformation and led the integration of Gennev, a women’s health company she founded and scaled through acquisition. Her earlier career includes 15 years at Microsoft in leadership roles across governance, strategy, and product management, as well as experience in IPO and post-acquisition integration at Great Plains Software. ŌURA delivers personalized health data, insights, and daily guidance with Oura Ring, the leading smart ring that helps you live healthier, longer. Guided by a mission to shift healthcare from sick care to prevention, ŌURA supports millions of members worldwide across sleep, activity, stress, readiness, women’s health, and heart health. With 1,000 ecosystem partners across wellness and medicine, ŌURA is advancing the future of preventative health. ŌURA was last valued at approximately $11B—making it the world’s most valuable standalone wearable company.
Our partners and sponsors:
People Science is a new kind of Clinical Research Organization focused on unlocking the power of alternative medicines and functional nutrition through rigorous science. Using their proprietary platform, Chloe, they conduct decentralized clinical trials that integrate research effortlessly into daily life, allowing brands to capture complex biological and behavioral data at scale.
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 want 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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