Ovum, an AI-powered personalised health assistant for women, has launched its first clinical trials at two leading Australian hospitals, The Royal Hospital for Women and St George Hospital.
Setting a new standard for ethics and research, the trials are among the first in the country with a specific focus on AI as a preventative health tool for women.
Founder of Ovum Dr Ariella Heffernan-Marks first created the AI tool after training as a doctor and witnessing first-hand the systemic healthcare issues that women face in the medical system. She often saw women across socio-economic lines being disempowered.
That insight led Dr Heffernan-Marks to build Ovum into a tool that would allow women to be heard and believed when advocating for their own health and wellbeing.
The women’s health AI app allows women to discuss their health by documenting and collecting information, as well as integrate medical reports and wearable device data. Ovum can then provide personalised health advice and summaries for doctors and health professionals.
The clinical trials will investigate whether using a women’s health AI journal like Ovum over 6 months can increase the likelihood that women will participate in preventative health activities and increase their sense of control and understanding of their personal health.
Leading medical experts will also be able to provide input to further inform Ovum over the course of the trials.
Ovum has recently secured $40,000 in funding from pharmaceutical investment firm Soul Patts and is set to launch later this month on the App Store.
“Partnering with The Royal Hospital for Women and St George Hospital to deliver these trials is a significant milestone for us and for innovation in healthcare across Australia,” said Dr Heffernan-Marks, noting that it’s possible due to the support of her supervisors at The George Institute for Global Health and UNSW Sydney, and the support and the advice and guidance of Professor Amanda Henry.
“As a medical professional, it was incredibly important to me that Ovum underwent rigorous reviews regarding ethics and standards from the very beginning. Other apps do not go through this process or often do so after being in the market for years,” Dr Heffernan-Marks said.
“By launching these clinical trials, we’re not just validating Ovum’s technology, we’re pioneering a new standard for how women’s health tech should be developed, tested and trusted.”
The George Institute will provide clinical supervision of the trials, with the Head of the Institute’s Women’s Health Program, Professor of Obstetrics at UNSW Sydney, and Principal Coordinating Investigator of the Ovum studies, Professor Amanda Henry saying they’re proud to support Ovum and help improve lifelong health outcomes for all women.
“As a doctor and researcher, I’ve seen firsthand how systemic gaps in care can lead to poorer outcomes for women, especially those navigating high-risk pregnancies,” said Professor Henry.
“These studies are a chance to change that trajectory, and to build an equitable healthcare system for women on their healthcare journey, through all stages of life.”
Also partnering with the clinical trials, The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation’s CEO Elise Jennings said the collaboration reflects the need for innovation to be “grounded in compassion, evidence and equity” as a way to prioritise “ethical research while amplifying the voices of women”.
With the aim to address the frustrations women feel when their health concerns are dismissed, Dr Heffernan-Marks said Ovum’s clinical trials are “looking to lead the way and set a new global standard when it comes to tech and healthcare”.
“If we can correct this imbalance and build the evidence base now, then I truly believe that women-specific AI will transform healthcare for women, where they are informed, empowered, heard and believed.”