The 2025 European Prize for Women Innovators has recognised four outstanding entrepreneurs who are reshaping the healthcare landscape across Europe. Supported by EIT Health, they have demonstrated leadership, creativity and resilience in developing breakthrough medical technologies and services. Their success illustrates the growing impact of female-led innovation in tackling critical health challenges. The awards, jointly managed by the European Innovation Council and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, celebrate both individual achievements and the wider importance of gender diversity in science and entrepreneurship.
Agnès Arbat: Redefining Fertility Treatment
Agnès Arbat, co-founder of Oxolife in Spain, was awarded the top prize in the Women Innovators category. Her company is developing novel drugs that improve embryo implantation and enhance the effectiveness of fertility treatments. With strategic support from EIT Health, Oxolife has achieved significant progress, including securing scientific guidance from the European Medicines Agency. This has accelerated the development of its innovative therapy for women struggling with infertility. Arbat’s recognition demonstrates the transformative potential of biotech entrepreneurship and reflects the growing need for solutions that address reproductive health, a space often underfunded and underserved. Her success also illustrates how EIT Health’s accelerator programmes can help promising ventures reach critical milestones in their journey to market.
Related Read: Biotech Start-ups Shaping the Future of Healthcare in Europe
Camille Bouget: Advancing AI for Personalised Medicine
Winner of the Rising Innovator Award, Camille Bouget from France co-founded Scienta Lab, a start-up focused on applying artificial intelligence to the development of therapies for immuno-inflammatory diseases. By bridging the gap between early research and clinical application, the company is making it possible to bring targeted therapies to patients faster and with greater precision. Bouget’s achievement highlights the rising influence of young female entrepreneurs in the digital health sector. With support from EIT Health, her work demonstrates how AI can be harnessed to accelerate innovation in personalised medicine. Scienta Lab is a strong example of how early-stage ventures can create real clinical impact when equipped with the right resources, mentorship and funding networks.
Olesja Bondarenko and Elizabeth McGloughlin: Leading the Future of Medical Devices
The EIT Women Leadership Award also recognised two exceptional runners-up: Olesja Bondarenko of Estonia and Elizabeth McGloughlin of Ireland. Bondarenko is the co-founder and CEO of Nanordica Medical, a company developing nanotechnology-based wound care products that help prevent infection and accelerate healing. With the growing global concern around antimicrobial resistance, these innovations provide essential solutions that address both clinical and public health priorities. EIT Health’s involvement has supported Nanordica’s mission to scale its technology for wider healthcare use.
Elizabeth McGloughlin, co-founder and CEO of Tympany Medical, is driving innovation in surgical imaging. Her start-up is developing variable-angle endoscopy technology that enhances visibility and precision during procedures. This advancement improves outcomes for patients and offers greater flexibility for healthcare professionals. Tympany Medical has benefited from long-term support from EIT Health, including expert mentorship, access to funding and connections across Europe’s health innovation ecosystem. Both entrepreneurs are leading with a focus on practical clinical improvements, demonstrating how technology can be tailored to meet real-world healthcare needs.
These four awardees exemplify the strength of female-led innovation in healthcare. Their work – ranging from AI-driven therapy development and surgical imaging to fertility treatment and infection prevention – reflects a commitment to advancing medical science in ways that directly improve patient care. EIT Health’s support has been instrumental in accelerating their journeys, offering the guidance and structure needed to scale their ideas across Europe. Beyond their individual accomplishments, these innovators serve as role models for aspiring entrepreneurs and stand as proof that inclusive, diverse leadership is essential to a resilient and forward-looking healthcare system. Their recognition at the 2025 European Prize for Women Innovators is a celebration not only of personal excellence but also of the collaborative spirit that drives progress in European health innovation.
Source: EIT Health
Image Credit: iStock
