Teal Health
Overview
Teal Health is a San Francisco-based women's health company focused on improving access to cervical cancer screening through innovative at-home solutions. Founded in 2018 by Kara Egan and Dr. Avnesh Thakor, the company has raised $23 million to date. Teal Health developed the Teal Wand, a self-collection device for HPV testing, allowing women to conduct screenings from home.
Recent Developments
- January 16, 2025: Teal Health announced it raised an additional $10 million in seed funding led by Emerson Collective and Forerunner, bringing its total funding to $23 million. This funding will help finalize the launch of the Teal Wand, its at-home cervical cancer screening device. The company is coordinating with insurers to cover its services and plans to expand across the United States.
- May 2024: Teal Health received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for the Teal Wand, which granted priority status due to the potential benefits of the device in cancer screening particularly for under-screened populations.
- July 2024: A comprehensive clinical trial highlighted a 94% preference for at-home screening using the Teal Wand, citing comfort and privacy as major factors for patients choosing home testing over traditional methods.
- Clinical Trial Success: Teal Health completed its clinical trial with over 600 participants, validating the Teal Wand’s effectiveness against clinician-collected samples.
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | 2018 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California |
| Founders | Kara Egan, Dr. Avnesh Thakor |
| Revenue | Not publicly disclosed |
| Profits | Not publicly disclosed |
| Key Investors | Emerson Collective, Serena Ventures, Forerunner, Labcorp |
| Industry | Femtech, Women's Health |
| Number of Employees | 11-50 |
Early History
Teal Health was founded in 2018 in response to the declining rate of cervical cancer screenings among women, partly due to the inconvenience and discomfort of traditional Pap smears. Co-founder Dr. Avnesh Thakor developed an initial prototype, which was transformed into the Teal Wand. Together with Kara Egan, a former health tech investor, they launched the company to bring this innovation into the commercial market.
Company Profile and Achievements
Teal Health's business model centers on its flagship product, the Teal Wand, designed for at-home cervical cancer screening. The company leverages telehealth for consultations, aiming to eliminate barriers to screening while improving user experience.
- Achievements:
- The Teal Wand secured FDA Breakthrough Device status, enhancing its path to market acceptance.
- Raised $23 million in funding from high-profile investors, showcasing strong market confidence in its potential impact.
- Conducted a comprehensive clinical trial with high user satisfaction and preference reported.
- Partnerships:
- Collaborated with labs and health systems to ensure streamlined processing and reliable testing results.
Current Operations and Market Position
Teal Health aims to increase screening coverage among women through its affordable and accessible at-home testing model. It is actively pursuing insurance partnerships to ensure coverage for patients. The company's innovative approach places it at a competitive advantage against traditional health services, specifically in convenience and patient comfort, and aligns with current healthcare trends towards decentralized and patient-centered care.
Teal Health Cervical Cancer
Teal Health focuses on improving cervical cancer screening rates through its innovative product, the Teal Wand. Cervical cancer is preventable when detected early, and Teal Health’s mission is to make screening accessible for all women.
Teal Wand Pap Smear
The Teal Wand is an at-home, self-collect HPV testing device that simplifies cervical cancer screening by allowing women to perform the test in the privacy and comfort of their homes, reducing the need for invasive medical procedures.
Conclusion
Teal Health is a promising player in the femtech industry, addressing a crucial need for more accessible cervical cancer screening. With its innovative Teal Wand device, the company is poised to disrupt traditional screening methodologies, offering women more comfortable, convenient, and accessible healthcare solutions. The potential for Teal Health to expand its market and impact is significant, especially as it progresses towards FDA approval and further commercialization.