Nestlé Health Science's Innovate Forward Challenge Celebrates Women's Health Innovation

Celebrating Women’s Health Innovation

Nestlé Health Science has recently announced the winner of the Innovate Forward Women’s Health Challenge, and the spotlight falls on Oova, a pioneering health platform focused on women’s hormonal health. This challenge, in collaboration with the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, aims to propel scientific innovation specifically geared towards addressing the unique health challenges faced by women during midlife, particularly surrounding menopause.

The Innovate Forward Challenge

This year marked the third installment of the Innovate Forward Challenge, designed to catalyze science-driven approaches across areas like nutrition, digital health, and lifestyle solutions tailored for women's health. With a thorough evaluation process conducted by experts from both Nestlé Health Science and Tufts University, Oova distinguished itself with its innovative and analytical methodologies aimed at improving women's understanding of their hormonal health.

Eugenia Oton, the Head of the Nestlé Product Technology Center, emphasized the importance of connecting with companies dedicated to developing solutions for underfunded aspects of women’s health. Oton remarked, “The Innovate Forward Challenge continues to surface bold science-led approaches.” With Oova’s selection, Nestlé Health Science reaffirmed its commitment to fostering innovative ideas in women’s health.

Oova’s Approach to Women’s Health

As the winner, Oova will embark on a six-month mentorship program with Nestlé Health Science, alongside admission into the Food Nutrition Innovation Council. This mentorship will provide Oova with access to industry expertise and collaborative opportunities vital for the growth of their platform.

Dr. Amy Divaraniya, Founder and CEO of Oova, expressed her gratitude for the recognition, highlighting the long-standing challenges faced by women in accessing adequate healthcare during midlife. She stated, “Women’s health has long been underserved by traditional care models, particularly during midlife.” Oova stands at the forefront of addressing these issues through real-time hormone health insights, enabling women to monitor their hormonal changes more effectively.

Oova’s platform allows users to gather data about their fertility and perimenopausal health, presenting actionable insights on hormonal health. With this tailored approach, women can share important information directly with healthcare providers, fostering better communication and informed decisions regarding their health journeys.

The Future of Women’s Health

Katie Stebbins, Executive Director of the Food Nutrition Innovation Institute, underscored the potential of this collaboration. She stated, “We look forward to helping accelerate what Oova is building.” This partnership is expected to ignite a broader conversation around integrating nutrition and health diagnostics, a crucial step in advancing women’s overall well-being.

In addition to Oova, two runner-up ventures, TurtleTree and Rootless, were also acknowledged, showcasing the promising talent within the field. The Innovate Forward Women’s Health Challenge reinforces the pivotal role of continuous research and the necessity for innovative solutions that cater to women’s long-term health needs, especially considering that women can spend nearly a third of their lives post-menopause.

For those interested in learning more about the Innovate Forward Challenge, past winners, and the innovative projects involved, additional resources are available at Innovate Forward Challenge.

About Nestlé Health Science

Nestlé Health Science is a global entity devoted to redefining health management through nutrition. This leader in the field operates on ideals that prioritize science-backed health solutions, offering an extensive range of products including medical nutrition and dietary supplements. Headquartered in Switzerland, the company employs over 12,000 individuals worldwide, with products distributed in more than 140 countries. More information can be found at Nestlé Health Science.