New Women's Health Accelerator Launches with Focus on Non-Hormonal Contraception

BioMed X announced the launch of XFem Labs, a new Women's Health R&D Accelerator in Heidelberg supported by the Gates Foundation. This initiative aims to establish a world-class women's health innovation hub that advances early-stage research into scalable solutions for women worldwide, including those in low- and middle-income countries. The accelerator represents a significant step forward in addressing critical gaps in women's healthcare through targeted research and development.

The first project at the new accelerator focuses on developing new strategies for female-controlled non-hormonal contraception, addressing a pressing global health need. Current data shows that 257 million women worldwide face significant barriers to accessing effective contraception. Existing hormonal contraceptives often cause side effects such as changes in bleeding patterns, leading to high discontinuation rates among users. This research initiative directly confronts these challenges by exploring alternatives that could provide women with more options and better control over their reproductive health.

Dr. Christian Tidona, CEO of BioMed X, stated that the joint goal with the Gates Foundation is to create significant impact on the lives and health of women worldwide. The program will work with an international network of top experts and key opinion leaders to mentor new research teams addressing pressing challenges in women's health. This collaborative approach ensures that the research benefits from diverse perspectives and expertise across multiple disciplines and geographic regions.

The first XFem Labs call for applications invites proposals exploring new biological targets, molecular mechanisms, or delivery modalities for continuous and on-demand non-hormonal contraception. Selected researchers will participate in a boot camp at BioMed X, leading to the incubation of a new research team based in Heidelberg. Researchers can submit project proposals through the BioMed X Career Space before December 7, 2025. This structured approach to research team formation ensures that promising ideas receive the support and resources needed to develop into viable solutions.

This inaugural project receives $2 million in grant funding and network support from the Gates Foundation, demonstrating the substantial commitment to advancing women's health research. The accelerator operates within the academic environments of the University of Heidelberg and Yale University, as well as within R&D campuses of leading pharmaceutical companies, bridging the translational gap between academic research and industry application. This unique positioning allows the accelerator to leverage academic innovation while ensuring that research outcomes can be effectively translated into practical healthcare solutions that reach women who need them most.