Early detection is key to defeating cervical cancer, but access to cervical cancer screening is a major challenge in Latin America and other emerging markets. More than 90% of the 350,000 women who died from cervical cancer in 2022 were in low- and middle-income countries.
Mexico’s TIMSER Group, a women-led research laboratory, has developed a non-invasive test that detects cervical cancer via protein biomarkers in the blood. TIMSER claims the globally-patented screening, called Preventix, is more effective than the traditional Pap test for detecting cervical cancer.
“When we started Preventix, we knew we wanted to do things differently: to bring reliable, accessible and dignified technology to thousands of women,” said TIMSER’s Mercedes Gutierrez Smith.
Women’s health
Impact Ventures PSM Seed is a $5 million impact venture fund that was stood up earlier this year by the impact investment team of Promotora Social México, and Impacta VC.
The fund’s investment will help TIMSER expand access to the Preventix test globally, says Gutierrez Smith. “We’re excited to add partners who are not only committed to innovation, but also to the impact it can have on people’s lives.”
Impact Ventures PSM Seed writes pre-seed and seed checks ranging between $100,000 and $300,000 to innovative tech startups tackling social and environmental issues in Latin America.
