Looking to the future on World Prematurity Day - 17 November 2023

Today, 17 November 2023, marks an important day in my calendar each year - World Prematurity Day. A day to increase awareness of premature birth and the impact this can have on families. Being a mum to a “30-weeker”, who spent his first six weeks in the excellent care of the Neonatal unit at our local hospital, this is a cause that is very close to my heart, and I am very fortunate that he is now a healthy 5 year old. 

So it is great to hear the news that Swiss MedTech company Pregnolia has secured CHF 2.2 Million to expand their premature birth diagnostic device, which aims to cut the number of premature births and improve maternal healthcare through testing at routine pregnancy consultations. 

WHO issued a report earlier this year “Born Too Soon - Decade of action on preterm birth”, which mentions innovation as being one of the key factors in trying to reduce rates of premature births and also for improving outcomes for those affected. Here's hoping that we see more MedTech businesses focussing on this important and potentially life-saving area in the coming years!