Evvy

Evvy is a women's health company built around discovering and using female-specific biomarkers, beginning with the vaginal microbiome. Its first product, the Evvy Vaginal Health Test, is an at-home test that uses metagenomic sequencing to characterize the vaginal microbiome and explain which microbes are present and what they may mean for symptoms, fertility and other health outcomes. The test launched in 2021, and in February 2023 the company expanded from testing into end-to-end care: results are reviewed by physicians, patients are connected to virtual health coaches, and those found to have a microbiome in dysbiosis can receive a treatment plan of supplements or prescription medication together with coaching calls.

In September 2023 Evvy added an optional panel covering sexually transmitted infections (including chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis), 11 vaginal microbes and 17 antibiotic-resistance genes, with antibiotic prescribing for STIs tailored to the patient's vaginal microbiome. The STI/PCR panel returns preliminary results in one to three days, while the core vaginal health test takes roughly seven to 10 days. Alongside diagnostics and care, Evvy has assembled a real-world dataset combining metagenomic sequencing with health-profile metadata, which it positions as a basis for research into markers for female health conditions, novel point-of-care testing and outcomes in fertility and pregnancy. Its product line also includes probiotics and vaginal suppositories (probiotic, boric acid and hyaluronic acid) and a UTI+ test.

Founding story

Evvy was founded by Stanford alums Priyanka Jain and Laine Bruzek to address the gender health data gap by identifying overlooked biomarkers in the female body, starting with the vaginal microbiome. Jain, previously Head of Product at pymetrics for four years, serves as CEO; Bruzek is Chief Marketing Officer. Co-founder and Chief Science Officer Pita Navarro is a molecular biologist who was a founding team member at Athelas, where she led development of AI-based devices monitoring inflammation biomarkers.

Business model

Direct-to-consumer sale of at-home diagnostic tests and supplements, with an attached clinical care layer (physician review, prescription treatment plans and virtual health coaching). Subscription options offer repeat testing at a lower per-test price, and add-on panels increase order value.

Product and test sales plus subscriptions. Fierce Healthcare reported a single vaginal health test at $129, a membership at $99 per test for four annual tests, and an STI/antibiotic-resistance add-on panel at $119; each test includes one-on-one virtual coaching. Evvy's site lists the Vaginal Health Test at $159 one-time ($129 on subscription), an STI + PCR add-on at $89, a UTI+ test at $248, and supplements and suppositories from $39 to $59.

Traction

By December 2022, roughly a year after launch, Evvy reported a testing community of more than 10,000 members, a first-of-its-kind clinical study and the creation of Equal Research Day, with a team of 10. An Evvy IRB-approved study reported that within two months of treatment 83% of participants achieved a healthy microbiome, 96% of patients rated their treatment effective and 100% said their symptoms improved.

Latest developments

Evvy announced a $14 million Series A in September 2023 led by Left Lane Capital, with General Catalyst, Labcorp Venture Fund, RH Capital, Ingeborg Investments, G9 Ventures, Virtue and Amboy Street Ventures participating. Proceeds are earmarked for expanding the at-home testing and care platform, applying AI to molecular signatures for female health diagnosis, and validating improved fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Concurrently the company launched STI and antibiotic-resistance testing as an add-on panel and, with investor Labcorp, aims to explore markers for novel point-of-care testing.