In it’s second year, FemHealth Integrates 2026 is a unique event addressing the gender gap in healthcare – both in health outcomes and within the health industry workforce. Tackling both decades-long inequalities and the emerging field of FemTech, FemHealth Integrates is the perfect opportunity for people of all genders to come together to bring about greater equality in biotech and healthcare.
Women continue to face persistent barriers to accessing healthcare, from delayed diagnoses and fragmented services to the systemic dismissal of women’s pain and symptoms – revealing unmet needs and opportunities for innovation. How can we drive meaningful change to improve access and credibility, building a healthcare system that truly meets women’s needs?
Kathryn Simpson Consulting Limited
Business Consultant
Kathryn is a respected and successful change leadership expert, with diverse career experience in Europe and North America. She has over 25 years of consulting and line experience with leading organisations (Unilever, Mars, KPMG and GSK). Since 2007 she has been leading her own independent consulting business, primarily working within the Life Sciences sector. By partnering with leaders at all levels within the sector, growth and sustainable success has resulted for the organisations she has worked with. She has recently published a book – “Leading for Change: How to thrive during uncertain times”.
She provides each organisation the approaches they need to meet their unique situation. Tailored approaches are used to develop a consolidated understanding of their environment and the priority challenges they face. This provides the basis for facilitating customised workshops where leaders not only create a desired future, but are ready to move forward and implement their ideas. Working with individual leaders or teams she advises how to bring other stakeholders with them so they achieve success together. These practical and supportive approaches create focus, accountability and collaboration across organisations and their partners. Organisations are left with an increased leadership capability and tangible business results.
Investment in women’s health continues to rise, but the journey is far from over. Explore the gains made, the untapped opportunities, and how female investors are shaping the next wave of innovation. What’s next for funding the future of care?
Today’s femtech is evolving. From temperature-sensing rings that pinpoint ovulation with clinical-level accuracy to AI-assisted ultrasound for earlier detection of pelvic pain conditions, how far can we push tech to finally close the data gap in women’s health? Hear about some of the latest innovations focused on improving women’s health and wellness.
If women aren’t adequately represented in clinical trials, how can we generate evidence that truly reflects women’s health? And can we really claim the science works for them? This session explores the structural barriers and real-world challenges, including how we can redesign clinical trials to drive equity, inclusion, and better outcomes in women’s health.
Optum UK
Director, Solutions Development for Research & Life Sciences
Katie leads on using data and technology to enhance primary care involvement in research, enabling faster, more diverse, and more effective clinical trials. Before joining Optum, she was Chief of Staff to the CEO at a medtech start-up and a consultant in Accenture UK’s Health team, advising on NHS digital, data, and cybersecurity strategies.
Women’s health research is on a reset path to focus on what matters most to women: earlier diagnosis, personalised treatments and a true life‑course view of health. This panel will unpack the RCOG – from endometriosis and menopause-related cognitive change to maternal mental health and the gender gap in drug trials – and ask how to turn them into real-world change.
ARMInnovate Ltd
Director and Founder
Alexis has over 30 years’ experience working at the cutting edge of pharmaceuticals, medical device and self-care industries. During her career, Alexis has held multiple senior executive positions including Global Senior Vice President and Global Divisional Executive Board Member of of blue chip pharma & medical device companies. She is also a Non- Executive Director for another Scottish Medical Device Start Up, and previously Co-Chair of German Biotech Company. She has worked for Coloplast, Abbott ,Pfizer, Reckitt, Johnson & Johnson and GSK. Whilst serving as Senior VP at a number of Companies she was responsible for teams that ensured the smooth integration of a number of large acquisitions in both R&D and supply chain.
Citylabs 1.0 is part of the Citylabs campus, a world-leading hub for health innovation and precision medicine, located within Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. It is home to a dynamic cluster of diagnostics, medtech, digital health and genomics businesses that are shaping the future of healthcare. Citylabs offers an ideal environment for companies looking to grow and scale, with direct access to the NHS, a specialist life sciences community, and tailored business support. Companies also benefit from access to over 20,000 STEM graduates each year, creating a strong pipeline of talent to support long-term growth.
Address: Citylabs 1.0, Nelson Street, Manchester, M13 9NQ
Tel: 0161 393 2288
Parking: The closest car park is Grafton Street Car Park (multi-storey). Please use the postcode M13 9WU located off Oxford Road, offering visitor parking with pay-on-foot facilities.
