July 2024 - Sustainable Femtech Network Newsletter
Microplastics in Sperm | Future Femtech Trends | Plastic-Free Packaging Guide
Do you have a story, opportunity or collaboration you'd like to share?
We would love to hear from you!
Email hello@sustainablefemtech.net and say hello!
🗳️The UK General Election is today - USE YOUR VOTE!🗳️
If you’re eligible to vote today but still undecided, FutureFemHealth
have an excellent breakdown of where the three main parties
(Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem) stand on women’s health.
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News
⚖️ $1 billion in funding from Melinda French Gates for women’s health organisations globally as she leaves the Gates Foundation to begin work tackling gender equity.
🩸Sunny Cup+ have received FDA 510k clearance, becoming the first first and only Menstrual Cup Applicator to achieve this.
🌾 Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have developed a new bioplastic made from Barley, that can completely decompose in just two months without industrial processes.
🧵INDA have announced that the theme for their next Hygienix conference will be “Driving Absorbent Hygiene Product Innovation: Consumer Desires, Market Dynamics and Sustainability Solutions” The event will focus on absorbent hygiene product innovation, Femtech, period poverty, adult care innovations, the UN Plastic Treaty and PFAS regulations. Nominations for the Hygienix Innovation Award are now open until September 16.
🍆 Microplastics in Human Semen? A recent study has found microplastics in every human semen sample that was tested. Researchers analysed samples from 50 volunteers, detecting tiny plastic particles that raise concerns about potential fertility risks.
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Future Focus
🔮 Get a glimpse of the future with Ultra Violet Agency's new report:
‘Femtech Futures 2035: The Trends Shaping The Next Decade In Women’s Health'. Predictions include a move towards 'social hacktivism', sustainability and ethical consumption.
'From seismic shifts in materials – a move away from PFA-heavy, non biodegradable fabrications – to made-to-order offerings and local productions, the 2035 consumer will have a much lower carbon footprint compared to modern-day counterparts. More emphasis will be placed on ethical methods of manufacturing, as well as sustainable and smart textile innovation.'
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Events
Do you have an upcoming event, webinar or seminar with a sustainability or cicularity angle? Let us know if you'd like to see it here!
ONLINE | Free Training – Training Healthcare Professionals to Drive Decarbonisation | 10:30 CEST (9:30 BST) 11th July 2024
ONLINE | Urban Pulse: Climate, Health and Equity in Action – Accelerating Collaborative Health and Climate Action in Cities | 11th July 2024 – 1pm BST
LILLE, FRANCE | CleanMed Lille |26th September 2024
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Resources
📄 New Report 'Reimagining Sustainable Medtech' available here
🌎 Are women more at risk from climate change? This podcast episode from UCL explores the link between gender and the climate crisis, from tackling single-use period products to much needed policy changes. If you're more of a reader than a listener, there is a handy transcript.
📦 Looking for plastic-free packaging solutions? Google have created a fantastic free guide for product designers.
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Funding
UNFPA Climate Change XX: Women’s Health in Focus grants of up to $15k for research addressing the impact of climate change on women and girls’ health. Closes 7th July.
The 77 Venture Challenge is a 12-week, equity-free program for ventures aiming to raise pre-seed, seed, or pre-Series A capital, with a chance to secure a $100,000 investment. Open to Australian organisations.
Women in Innovation Award 2024 - Still time to get your hands on £75k if you're a UK-based female founders developing innovative ideas. Closes July 10th!
Applications are now open for the Novo Nordisk Foundation's Global Science Summit Programme. The programme aims to explore the intersection between major global health and sustainability challenges through fostering scientific discoveries that address the combined impact of non-communicable diseases, infectious diseases, climate change, and related enabling technologies.
☝️(We'd love to hear from researchers who would be interested in collaborating with us on this on this one. Reach out to us at hello@sustainablefemtech.net)
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Collaboration opportunities
Are you developing a medical device and facing challenges around sustainable materials and manufacturing?
Medilink UK is launching a MedTech Manufacturing Special Interest Group in response to feedback from member organisations, taking into account new developments such as digitisation/automation, advanced materials and sustainability. The group will provide a forum where UK MedTech manufacturers can share experiences and learn more about technology opportunities. Register for the launch on 15th of July
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That’s all for this edition. See you next month!
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