Level Zero Health, a cutting-edge medical device startup founded by dynamic duo Ula Rustamova and Irene Jia, has successfully garnered $6.9 million in pre-seed funding to advance its groundbreaking continuous hormone monitoring device. This funding round, which exceeded expectations, was spearheaded by the Swiss venture capital firm Redalpine, with additional backing from HAX (SOSV), Entrepreneur First (EF), and a host of esteemed industry experts.
Established in 2023, Level Zero Health embodies a visionary approach to hormone testing by introducing a novel solution that does away with traditional, invasive blood draws. The company’s innovative technology utilizes a DNA-based sensor to measure hormone levels in interstitial fluid via a wearable patch applied to the arm. This cutting-edge device promises real-time monitoring of crucial hormones such as cortisol, progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone.
“Our remote monitoring technology represents a monumental advancement in the field of hormone testing,” Rustamova, who previously led Enterprise Tech at Palantir, told TechFundingNews. “This significant funding enables us to expedite our journey to market, delivering a solution that not only eliminates the hassle of invasive lab tests but also captures vital data previously unattainable. The demand for this type of monitoring is already substantial, reflecting its transformative potential in patient care.”
Level Zero Health’s strategic roadmap includes debuting a single-use wearable patch for intermittent hormone testing by next year, alongside the development of a continuous monitoring device slated for release in 2028. “Our aim is to pioneer a completely new market, much like continuous glucose monitors did for diabetes management,” Rustamova highlighted in an interview with TechCrunch.
Within its first operational year, Level Zero Health has made remarkable strides, validating its DNA-based sensors with superior performance in simulated samples covering 98% of the human clinical range. This promising technology has drawn accolades and the support of an impressive clinical advisory board. Esteemed figures such as Aaron Styer, the Medical Director at CCRM Fertility and an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, and Joshua Klein, Medical Director at Extend Fertility, have joined to endorse the project.
Dr. Styer expressed enthusiasm, stating, “This breakthrough by Level Zero Health is set to revolutionize how clinicians manage and monitor hormonally-related conditions and treatments. The technology holds vast potential for remote monitoring, notably in fertility treatments and endocrine disorders. It will undoubtedly broaden patient access to essential care, mitigate healthcare costs, and reshape medical practice paradigms.”
The funds will be channeled into research and development, team expansion across the UK and the US, and preparation for upcoming clinical trials and regulatory compliance. Initially focusing on B2B clinical applications, Level Zero Health also foresees extending its reach into pharmaceutical and consumer markets in the future.