Inara Lalani is the Co-Founder and CEO of FemTherapeutics.

FemTherapeutics is a medical device company developing “Invisalign for Gynaecology”. Leveraging artificial intelligence and 3D Printing, their gynecology platform offers patient-specific intra-vaginal devices for common pelvic health conditions.

FemTherapeutics is building the infrastructure to allow expansion into other pelvic health categories including menstruation and sexual wellness, labour and delivery, oncology, and more.

Takeaways

• Spinning out from the McGill Surgical Innovation Program.
• The patent process for medtech companies.
• The gender gap in medical innovation.
• Regulatory hurdles for medical devices.
• Fundraising in the medtech space, particularly in Canada.
• How they are utilizing the "Invisalign model" for medical devices.
• Manufacturing medtech products and adhering to quality standards like ISO 13485.
• Importance of mentors and advisors.
• Commercialization strategies and GTM.
• Feedback loops in product development.
• Leveraging grants and NDF.
• Raising for femtech ventures in a male-dominated venture industry.

Chapters

00:00 The Genesis of FemTherapeutics

02:27 Navigating the Patent Process

05:09 Addressing the Gender Gap in Medical Innovation

07:01 The Challenges of Hardware Development

10:00 Fundraising in MedTech

12:04 Invisalign Inspiration: Customization in Medical Devices

14:21 Early Adoption Strategies for Medical Devices

15:48 Manufacturing Considerations for Medical Devices

16:46 The Importance of Advisors and Mentors

18:06 Commercialization Strategies for Medical Devices

20:26 Understanding Reimbursement Processes

21:55 Team Composition for Success

23:33 Feedback Loops in Product Development

25:37 Leveraging Government Support and Grants

27:32 Navigating Investor Conversations

29:32 Personal and Professional Excitements

30:37 Coping with Challenges as a Founder

Keywords

FemTherapeutics, medical innovation, gender gap, patent process, fundraising, medical devices, commercialization, reimbursement, team composition, feedback loops