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About Us

The Innovation Equity Forum (IEF) was launched in 2023 through a partnership between the Gates Foundation and the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health. It was created to confront a long-standing gap: the underinvestment and underrepresentation in women’s health research and development (R&D).

The IEF brings together a global community of over 250 stakeholders committed to advancing women’s health.

Our membership includes philanthropists, venture capitalists, biopharmaceutical companies, women’s health startups, regulators, researchers, and patient advocates. Together, this diverse group is committed to advancing a more equitable, coordinated, and innovation-driven ecosystem for women’s health R&D.

The IEF was established to

Convene

key global players and decision-makers in women’s health innovation

Mobilize

transformational efforts through a shared understanding of critical R&D priorities

Catalyze

cross-sector, multinational partnerships that overcome structural barriers and drive progress

In 2023, the IEF published the Opportunity Map, a foundational resource to identify gaps, align priorities, and build momentum for transformative action in women’s health R&D.

Since then, the Forum has met regularly to strengthen accountability and impact, launching a 2024 Progress Report to track advancements across the ecosystem and forming dedicated working groups to translate insights into impact. The Innovation Equity Forum is building a movement to elevate women’s health as a global innovation priority.

Our Members

Explore the organizations who are members of the Innovation Equity Forum below.

    Rachel Ndirangu

    PATH

    Regional Director, Advocacy and Public Policy

    NGOs & Nonprofits

    Rear Admiral Susan Blumenthal, MD

    MIT; amfAR

    Visiting Professor; Senior Medical Advisor

    Academia & Research Institutions

    Robert Gorkin

    Western Sydney University

    Professor Co-Director

    Academia & Research Institutions

    Ru Cheng, MD, FACOG

    Gates Foundation

    Director, Women's Health Innovations

    Foundation/Philanthropy

    Sabrina Martucci Johnson

    Daré Bioscience

    CEO

    Biotech Companies

    Sajni Chotai

    Investor in Funds

    Venture Capital (VC) & Private Equity

    Sander de Vos

    Rapidemic

    Chief Business Officer

    Startups & Innovators

    Sara Nasser, MBBS MD

    Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS (Italy) /Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center ( Germany)

    Gynecological Oncologist

    Healthcare Providers & Systems

    Shayna Mancuso, D.O., FACOG

    Head, Medical Affairs, Women's Health

    Pharmaceutical Companies

    Shefali Goyal

    Organon

    VP Regulatory Strategy

    Pharmaceutical Companies

    Sikopo Pauline Nyambe

    Hokkaido University

    Assistant Professor

    Academia & Research Institutions

    Simone Theiss

    Tech4Eva

    Program Lead

    Foundation/Philanthropy

IEF membership is maintained at the individual level and members act as individuals, not as organizations. Representation on this list is illustrative of the kinds of organizations represented but does not necessarily imply official engagement.
Get Involved
We invite you to join us in this growing movement—to help shape the future of women’s health R&D, unlock new funding, strengthen advocacy, and accelerate the development of bold, equitable solutions.

The Women’s Health Opportunity Map is just the beginning. It serves as a launchpad for deeper collaboration, shared advocacy, and increased investment in women’s health innovation.

Whether you’re interested in becoming a Forum member or simply staying informed, we welcome your ideas, expertise, and energy. Let us know how you’d like to engage with the IEF.

Get Involved
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