Juno Bio, a women’s health company, announced on Thursday that it has secured $3.8 million in funding to support the opening of its first sequencing laboratory dedicated entirely to women’s health. This marks a significant advancement in the field of female health diagnostics.
The company offers a home-based vaginal microbiome test that identifies all bacteria and fungi present in the vaginal microbiome. Patients receive an analysis of the microbes found and insights into health issues associated with these microbes, such as bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections. The test can also screen for sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia and gonorrhea. Following the test, patients have the option to schedule a free call with one of the company’s coaches to discuss their results and potential next steps.
The test is currently available in 46 states, priced at $149 for a single test or $99 for quarterly testing.
Funding for Juno Bio was supported by Ada Ventures, Artesian, Entrepreneur First, and Illumina Accelerator.
“Juno Bio is setting a new standard for understanding and managing vaginal health,” stated Check Warner, co-founding partner at Ada Ventures, in a press release. “What they have built at this stage, with this level of capital efficiency, is exceptional. We are proud to support the team as they evolve their clinical infrastructure and continue to drive innovation in this significantly underserved category.”
The funding facilitates the establishment of the first CLIA-certified sequencing laboratory focused on women’s health, situated in Oakland, California. CLIA certification indicates that the laboratory meets federal standards for laboratory testing. This certification allows Juno Bio to conduct its vaginal microbiome tests in-house, thereby enhancing control over quality, speed, innovation, and future research and development, as reported by MedCity News.
Data from Juno Bio indicates that prior to using the at-home vaginal microbiome test, 67.5% of its clients had received an incorrect diagnosis, with only 13% having been successfully treated. The company aims to enhance understanding of the vaginal microbiome.
“The vaginal microbiome remains one of the least understood systems clinically in the body. With our laboratory, we’re beginning to establish a measurement standard that clinicians can truly utilize,” said Leighton Turner, founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Juno Bio. “We believe the level of detail from this type of testing can significantly improve how vaginal care is delivered.”
Hana Janebdar, the company’s founder and CEO, emphasized that the next chapter for Juno Bio involves scaling its efforts to “broaden access to more concrete care and continue to close the gender health gap.”
It is noteworthy that Juno Bio is not the only company exploring vaginal microbiome testing; Evvy, based in New York, also offers a similar at-home test.
Photo: phive2015, Getty Images
