Ovum A.I., a health management app powered by artificial intelligence and women’s data, has achieved a significant milestone by entering its pilot phase with hundreds of participants. This pioneering app, developed by Dr. Ariella Heffernan-Marks, is set to create Australia’s first longitudinal AI women’s dataset. The aim is to close the gender health gap and transform the healthcare experience for women.
Dr. Heffernan-Marks, the CEO and founder of Ovum, expressed her excitement about this achievement, highlighting the app’s unique approach. “One in two women navigate a chronic health issue in Australia. Leveraging AI, our bespoke personal health assistant empowers women with resources and confidence to manage their health over their lifetime,” she stated.
Ovum distinguishes itself by adopting a holistic view of women’s health, addressing the needs of women at every stage of their health journey. Unlike existing apps that focus primarily on reproductive health and fertility, Ovum integrates a comprehensive range of health data and provides an interactive platform for women to track and manage health issues.
Dr. Heffernan-Marks emphasized the systemic underfunding and under-representation of women’s health. “Women often face misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis. My vision is to create an accessible resource designed with women, for women,” she explained. The app aims to address the healthcare system’s biases related to gender, age, sexuality, disability, migration status, and income, particularly during the current cost-of-living crisis.
Ovum’s extensive record-keeping capabilities are crucial for managing complex or chronic health conditions. It can take years for women to receive diagnoses for general health conditions and even longer for conditions like endometriosis. The app stores blood tests, imaging reports, letters, and referrals, allowing women to maintain a comprehensive health record.
A critical aspect of Ovum’s development is addressing biases in technology and healthcare. Dr. Heffernan-Marks is committed to ensuring that the AI is women-centric and draws from a diverse dataset. “Existing AI can perpetuate biases in healthcare outcomes for women. It is essential that our AI is effective and has a significant impact on our users by being inclusive and diverse,” she noted.
Privacy and security are also paramount for Ovum. Users are not required to provide identifiable personal details, ensuring their data is protected with sophisticated technology and protections. “Maintaining the trust and integrity of Ovum is essential, and this can only be achieved by safeguarding user data,” Dr. Heffernan-Marks added.
Ovum’s board includes notable experts such as Associate Professor Susan Evans, a gynecologist and pain physician, Associate Professor Amanda Henry, an obstetrician and gynecologist at UNSW and St George Hospital, and Andy Timms, Managing Director of Nakatomi. Associate Professor Evans praised the app’s potential, particularly for addressing pelvic pain, an area historically under-researched and under-managed. “This app represents something truly new in the app space, combining benefits to the user with their desire to contribute to scientific knowledge,” she commented.
The femtech sector is projected to reach USD 108 billion by 2032, and the generative AI market is expected to be worth USD 2 trillion by 2030. Ovum is well-positioned to tap into these growing markets, offering direct benefits to women across Australia.
Early support for Ovum has come from investors such as Victoria Denholm, CEO of Wollemi Capital Group, and Nakatomi, an award-winning Australian-based venture studio. Anna Hunt, a former Google creative lead and now strategic business developer for Ovum, expressed her enthusiasm. “We were inspired by Ariella’s vision to address systemic issues in women’s health. We are excited to see the value Ovum will bring to women’s lives,” Hunt said.
Dr. Heffernan-Marks, drawing on her medical expertise and background in reproductive biology and embryology, has worked on Ovum for over four years. Her efforts have been recognized with several awards, including the TOW Randwick Innovation Precinct People’s Choice Award and the LIFTwomen APAC cohort’s ‘Best Project Award.’
Now, Dr. Heffernan-Marks is calling for women to participate in the pilot phase to train the AI. “Testing and feedback from women are priorities for us. Every story and concern are valid. This pilot phase ensures women are empowered, taken seriously, and heard. I am committed to working with women to achieve better health outcomes across Australia,” she concluded.
