Anya is due to receive a £500,000 award from NHS England in February 2024, following a successful SBRI Healthcare Phase 1 pilot. This will be allocated to a groundbreaking SBRI Healthcare phase-2 initiative aimed at combating health inequalities in maternity care.

CEO’s Commitment to Addressing Challenges

Dr. Chen Mao Davies, CEO and Founder of Anya, asserts, “In the UK, Black and Asian women face higher risks during pregnancy and childbirth, and we also acknowledge poorer health outcomes for babies from socioeconomically deprived backgrounds. At Anya, we are committed to addressing these challenges head-on, harnessing innovation and empathy.”

Innovative Solution and Global Impact

Combining cutting-edge AI-powered 24/7 support with 3D interactive technology, we offer unparalleled education, support, and community engagement all in one place. We designed this innovative solution to enhance the overall experience for users. Additionally, co-created by top clinicians, technologists, and users, Anya has successfully aided parents in over 100 countries. It is also available to 5 million NHS users.

Public Patient Involvement and Engagement in 2023

Furthermore, in 2023, we dedicated ourselves to extensive Public Patient Involvement and Engagement. Our specific focus was on understanding the challenges faced by disadvantaged communities. In particular, parents from ethnic minority backgrounds and IMD 1 & 2. Tailoring our products and services accordingly, we’ve ensured inclusivity and accessibility, delivering 24/7 continuity of care.

Anticipation for SBRI Phase-2 and Expansion Plans

Excitingly, this is just the beginning. ???? As we anticipate SBRI phase-2, we are ready to actively expand our impactful work. This expansion will involve further Public Patient Involvement and Engagement, product research and development. A large-scale pilot with Greater Manchester and East Cheshire Local Maternity and Neonatal System will take place. This will be followed by a full evaluation.

Key Elements of Phase 2 Project

A key element of the Phase 2 project involves further development of the app to support parents experiencing health inequalities. In this case, this project will build on our SBRI Phase 1 Public Patient Involvement and Engagement work, in which we engaged with black mums, young parents, and socioeconomically deprived groups. We are committed to continuing these efforts. Furthermore, our collaboration with Greater Manchester and East Cheshire LMNS will deepen our engagement with demographic groups experiencing health inequality.

Health Outcomes Data Collection and Collaboration

Additionally, over the next 9-12 months, we’ll collect health outcomes data from all parents within Greater Manchester. This data will provide valuable insights into the broader impacts of Anya on local healthcare systems. Importantly, this will aid our understanding and collaboration with partners. Furthermore, this marks a crucial step in advancing our impactful work and fostering innovation in healthcare.

Together, we actively aim to make a lasting impact on health inequalities in maternity care. Stay tuned for more updates throughout 2024! ????

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LatchAid was founded by Dr Chen Mao Davies, an Oscar (Academy Award) and BAFTA award-winning R&D specialist who previously worked on the visual effects of Hollywood blockbuster films Gravity and Blade Runner 2049. Chen’s own struggles with breastfeeding compelled her to start LatchAid in order to revolutionise breastfeeding and early parenthood support with equal parts technological innovation and empathy.

The company’s total funding to date has comprised a mix of innovation loans, convertible loan note from the KQ Labs accelerator programme, and equity investment from strategic business angel investors. The angel group was led by Dan Cobley, former MD of Google UK & Ireland, and also includes Eileen Burbidge MBE, the “Queen of British VC”, along with Priya Oberoi, founding partner of the female-centred healthcare fund, Goddess Gaia Ventures, among others.

The LatchAid app rebranded as Anya in late 2022, to serve parents better across 1,001 days of parenting. LatchAid lives on as the unique 3D breastfeeding animation tool in the Anya app.

Commenting on the round, Founder and CEO, Dr Chen Mao Davies, said, “As a Chinese female solo entrepreneur running a women’s health business, it’s not easy to find investment. But if you can find the right investors, great ideas and a great team will ultimately attract funding.”

As well as positive health outcomes for mothers and babies, breastfeeding offers social, economic, and environmental benefits. However, the UK has the lowest breastfeeding rate in the world. 90% of women give up breastfeeding before they want to because of pain, health issues, and/or lack of support. Unsuccessful breastfeeding costs society $1bn per day globally

The company has already garnered numerous awards and funding competitions, including a COVID-19 Fast Response grant; a Sustainable Innovation Fund grant; the prestigious Women in Innovation Award from Innovate UK; grants from NHS Improvement, UnLtd, the EU and the Health Foundation.

Dan Cobley, former Head of Google UK and Ireland, and co-founder of ClearScore and Salary Finance said: “Chen has already achieved so much with such limited resources. I am convinced that, with this funding and the support of such a great group of investors, Anya and LatchAid will grow to be an amazing force for good in this critical health area, first in the UK and then across the world.”

Funds from this round will be used to augment the technical and commercial teams and to expand the company’s B2B offerings to healthcare organisations as a licensed prescription app, to corporates for employee benefit schemes, and to insurance companies for health insurance packages. It also aims to expand its B2C market reach to expectant and new mothers. Product R&D goals include developing sentiment AI capability, expanding core support to a 1,000-day cycle (from pregnancy until the baby is 2 years old), enhancing 3D interactive components, and cross-platform development for iOS and Android.

It has recently completed a successful pilot with 12 NHS trusts and the HCRG Group across the UK, demonstrating positive health economic benefits.

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