The U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Agency (MHRA) is calling for more research into the vaginal microbiome as a way to redress the historic under-representation of women in clinical studies, which it said has contributed to “critical shortcomings” in understanding of female-specific conditions.

The largest genome-wide association study to date of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome has identified eight genetic loci that are significantly associated with the chronic debilitating condition. Onset of ME/CFS often is traced back to an infection and four of the loci involve genes that are expressed in response to viral or bacterial infections.

Cooler Heads Care Inc. closed an oversubscribed series A, raising a cool $11 million for Amma, its portable scalp cooling system that reduces hair loss during chemotherapy. The new funds will facilitate expanded access to Amma, which is available to patients through infusion centers.

Plexāā Ltd. recently raised $4.5 million to support the upcoming U.S. launch of Bloom43, its wearable device that helps patients prepare for breast cancer surgery and reconstruction by using a technique called supraphysiological preconditioning.

Lunit Inc. reported a new collaboration with Microsoft Corp. July 2 to jointly develop medical AI programs accessible on Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform.

In recognition of the fact that diversity, equity and inclusion are necessary prerequisites for precision medicine, the European Academy of Neurology announced the launch of a DEI Hub at its 11th Congress, which is being held in Helsinki through June 24.

The U.K. government will offer women home-testing kits for cervical screening as part of an effort to tackle barriers and get more of them taking this potentially life-saving test.

Pregnant women with type 1 diabetes who used a hybrid closed loop automated insulin delivery system averaged more than three additional hours per day in their recommended glucose range than those who managed their diabetes with insulin injections or non-automated pump systems, a study presented at the 85th Scientific Sessions of the American Association in Chicago demonstrated.

Researchers at ETH Zürich developed Menstruai, a device that detects in menstruation blood biomarkers associated with certain diseases. Menstruai uses a sensor built into a sanitary pad and changes color if certain biomarkers are present. The first of its kind technology has the potential to enable the early detection of diseases and transform women’s health care.

GC Genome Corp. priced a Kosdaq offering of 4 million shares at ₩10,500 per share May 27, entailing a gross ₩42 billion (US$30.5 million) raise in early June. The Yongin, South Korea-based genomics subsidiary of GC Biopharma Corp. fixed its shares price to the top of its ₩9,000 to ₩15,000 price band May 27 after conducting demand forecasting on domestic and international institutional investors from May 19 to May 23.