Women's health communicator to keynote Femtech Connect

Antigoni Studios has announced its lineup of scientific and entrepreneurial minds working to build a healthier world for women at the Femtech Connect Summit on Sept. 21 at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald. The keynote speaker is Tennessee-based doctor Brittany Barreto, who has worked in women's health throughout her career and founded then exited FemHealth Insights. The summit is one of many events taking place during Life Sciences Week (of which Taproot is a media sponsor) between Sept. 21 and 25.

Femtech Connect also includes a panel with speakers from near and far. Moderated by Carole Anne Devaney of Global News Edmonton, the local speaker is Sophie Gray of DiveThru, whose therapy business was early to go virtual and has four studios in the region, plus service in other parts of the province, British Columbia, and Ontario. DiveThru received the largest investment from the Edmonton Edge Fund in 2024 to support its expansion, to the tune of $750,000. The other speakers come from elsewhere, including leaders from Reya Health of London, ON, which focuses on birth control; Calgary's Neuraura, which is building wearable and implantable medtech; and CELLECT Laboratories, a company from Waterloo, ON, that uses menstrual-product nanotech to diagnose various conditions.

Antigoni co-founders Riya Ganguly and Kate Ellis explained what femtech is and isn't during a launch event earlier this year. Femtech is any science-backed innovation that supports women's health, from drugs to leak-proof underwear to life-saving tools such as the JADA System for postpartum uterine care. Ellis emphasized that femtech is far removed from wellness or lifestyle brands such as Gwyneth Paltrow's goop. Non-member registration for Femtech Connect starts at $225, but students can get in for $99. Exhibitor booths are available for $1,000.