FemTech, a domain often overshadowed in the expansive landscape of healthcare technology, is now emerging as a hub for groundbreaking innovations catering specifically to the unique and diverse healthcare needs of women. Leading this revolutionary charge is Hilla Shaviv, an entrepreneurial force and CEO in the FemTech industry.
As the founder of Gals Bio, Shaviv’s journey has been marked by an unwavering commitment to bridging gaps and challenging the status quo in the underexplored yet important sector of women’s health.
Her journey into FemTech was fueled by an innate entrepreneurial spirit. After a discovery about how the field of women’s health had been underrepresented and underfinanced, she knew that this was an area with significant potential for impact. This challenge created a formidable barrier much like a reinforced concrete barrier over her head. Nevertheless, she embarked on a journey to break through these barriers, shaping her life and career.
Innovative Solution: Tulipon, the Internal Wearable
At the helm of Gals Bio, Shaviv has steered the development of Tulipon, a groundbreaking vaginal tool often referred to as an “internal wearable device.” Tulipon merges the best features of menstrual cups and applicator tampons while introducing unique diagnostic capabilities.
It provides a comprehensive solution for managing monthly bleeding, offering up to 12 hours of protection with unique diagnostic features. Beyond its ease of use and eco-friendly nature, Tulipon allows for the monitoring of menstrual effluent volume and vaginal pH, providing valuable insights into women’s health.
With her strong background in biomedical engineering, Shaviv navigates the intricate challenges of developing medical devices tailored specifically for women’s health. This involves continuous learning, adaptation to technological advancements, and, often, foundational research due to the lack of existing data on women’s health. Her journey since 2007 reflects the constant trial and error and persistence required to pioneer advancements in this critical field.
Gals Bio, like many in the FemTech arena, grapples with the lack of research, knowledge, and funding. However, Shaviv remains optimistic, citing positive results from Tulipon’s user tests as evidence of progress. Looking to the future, she anticipates a significant shift in the funding landscape, especially in the EU, which is already allocating grants for research into issues like endometriosis.
Shaping Women’s Health Technology
Looking ahead, Gals Bio envisions expanding Tulipon’s diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities, offering personalized health solutions, fostering collaborations, increasing educational outreach, and ensuring global accessibility. Shaviv plays a significant role in shaping the future of women’s health through technology and innovation, continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in FemTech.
Her dedication, however, extends beyond product development; Shaviv actively engages in dismantling taboos and misconceptions surrounding women’s menstrual cycles and health. Employing humor and humanizing the topic, she aims to create a more comfortable atmosphere for open discussions. Notably, she has created a gamified book titled “Becoming a Young Woman,” addressing the educational gap for young girls experiencing menarche.
Recognizing the importance of education in creating inclusive FemTech solutions, Shaviv emphasizes collaboration with period poverty foundations. She advocates for the eradication of period poverty, believing it is society’s responsibility to ensure that every woman has access to appropriate hygiene products. The journey, though challenging, is marked by resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to addressing the unique healthcare needs of women–both for Hilla Shaviv and her company, Gals Bio.
Published by: Martin De Juan
