ASV Insights presents the Top 10 Deals of 2023 where we will look at how recent major successes reflect the latest trends in women’s health and sexual health.
Earlier this year Cosette Pharmaceuticals acquired Intrarosa, the only FDA-approved, locally administered, daily, non-estrogen product for the treatment of dyspareunia, a common symptom of vaginal atrophy due to menopause. The transaction includes the transfer of 108 issued and pending global patents. The price of the deal was not disclosed.
Intrarosa differs from other hormone replacement therapies on the market today because it does not contain estrogen and does not carry a boxed safety warning on its label. Intrarosa is currently available in almost all major markets, including the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Israel.
In the U.S. alone, there are an estimated 32 million postmenopausal women who suffer from vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA). Studies suggest that between 44 percent and 78 percent of women with VVA suffer from dyspareunia. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is the current standard treatment for menopause, however it can cause unwanted side-effects and it is estrogen-based which can restrict patient eligibility. There is a clear need for innovation in the menopause category and women’s health companies are jumping at this opportunity, creating various forms of non-hormonal treatment options to help women reclaim pleasure.
In recent years, multiple startups developing non-hormonal therapies for vaginal atrophy and sexual dysfunction due to menopause have succeeded in securing VC funding. Some of these companies include:
Madorra – Series A – Madorra is creating an FDA-approved, hand-held device that uses ultrasound to externally treat vaginal dryness by re-initiating the body’s natural process of lubrication.
JoyLux – Series A – The JoyLux device uses a combination of red light, thermal energy and sonic technology to treat vaginal atrophy and pelvic weakening due to menopause.
Womaness – Series A – Womaness offers multiple SKUs of menopause products including their Daily V Smoothe, which is a topical vaginal moisturizer to treat vaginal dryness due to menopause.
Playground – Seed – Playground is the female-forward, modern-day lube brand creating products that are intentionally formulated for all stages of womanhood.
As we see more exits of late stage, menopause focused, women’s health companies; we predict that more VCs will fund early stage companies in the space, causing a much-needed eruption of innovation to address the menopause gap in healthcare.
