The Women’s Health Fund Announced by Industry Leaders to Build the Market
Conceptualized in partnership with industry leaders and fund managers, The Women’s Health Fund represents an innovative approach to sustainably build a market. By partnering with experienced life science managers with an anticipated cumulative sixty-billion in AUM, this new vehicle intends to activate venture funds to allocate more capital into a space that has been historically under-recognized, under-funded and under-prioritized.
Founding supporters include The American Heart Association Go Red for Women Venture Fund, the Society for Women’s Health Research, 1843 Capital, Pontiva Capital, Shaper Capital, Women’s Health Access Matters, and other visionary industry leaders.
“Because women were largely excluded from research until the 1990s, we owe women decades of science,” says Jessica Federer, Founder and Managing Partner at The Women’s Health Fund. “We are just beginning to understand how sex based differences impact organ systems, unlocking an incredible opportunity for the development and commercialization of new treatments, diagnostics, and cures.”
“Closing the women’s health gap represents a healthier future — for women, and economies. This new fund is an inspiring example of investment to unlock progress for society,” Lucy Pérez, senior partner with McKinsey & Co. and Global Leader, McKinsey Health Institute.
This vehicle builds on the global evidence base for women's health investment put forth by leading institutions, such as the McKinsey Health Institute in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, whose research shows that closing the women's health gap -- the 25% more time in poor health women spend than men -- could help regain 75 million years of lost life and at least a $1 trillion annual global economic opportunity by 2040.
“I'm encouraged to see new investments in women's health research, an area that has long been overlooked despite its impact on half the population,” said Basmah Safdar, M.D. Director of Women’s Health Research at Yale and Founding Member of the Advisory Board for The Women’s Health Fund. “Prioritizing investment in this research is not just a crucial step forward; it is fundamental to advancing medical knowledge and improving health outcomes for everyone.”
ABOUT WH FUND: The Women’s Health Fund is dedicated to building a portfolio of premier venture capital partnerships focused on women’s health. Its flagship vehicle, WH1, is a life sciences–focused fund of funds, dedicated to backing experienced fund managers who are seeking to redefine the future of healthcare for women. The firm is founded by experienced operators, investors and healthcare professionals and has support from industry leaders representing the pharmaceutical, philanthropic, and research fields.To learn more about this market building initiative to catalyze the growth of a market, visit www.WH.fund.
# # #
Notice to Readers
This announcement is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as investment advice. This announcement has been prepared by The Women’s Health Fund solely for informational purposes and is not intended to be (and may not be relied on in any manner as) legal, tax, investment, accounting or other advice. It should not be viewed as a recommendation of or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any particular security. Any strategy discussed or implicated by this announcement may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. The information contained in this announcement is superseded by, and is qualified in its entirety by, the offering materials applicable to The Women’s Health Fund.
An investment in any fund entails a high degree of risk, including the risk of loss. There is no assurance that Women’s Health Fund’s investment objective will be achieved or that investors will receive a return on their capital. Investors must read and understand all the risks described in the final confidential private placement memorandum and/or the related subscription documents before making a commitment.
Forward-looking statements are subject to change. The information in this announcement, including any projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events, targets, forecasts, or expectations, is only as current as of the date indicated and may be superseded by subsequent market events or for other reasons. Neither Women’s Health Fund nor any other person assumes any duty to update forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance as to any future event or outcome, and actual events or outcomes may be significantly different from those contemplated in the announcement.