As global awareness of health disparities continues to grow, femtech—the intersection of technology and women's health—has emerged as a crucial area of innovation. Despite representing half the population, women's health remains chronically underfunded and underserved in medical research, product development, and digital healthcare solutions. Addressing issues from reproductive health to menopause, femtech holds immense promise not just for innovation, but for equity, empowerment, and systemic change. Yet to truly realize this potential, the field must navigate complex ethical, legal, and regulatory landscapes.

From June 2 to June 6, 2025, the EKFZ for Digital Health and the BRU Ageing Lab to hosted a Summer School under the theme “Femtech Meets Law: Advancing Women's Health Across All Ages Through Technology, Regulation, and Ethics.” Organized collaboratively by our research institute and our partner, HALL University, the Summer School served as a platform to explore the evolving intersection of technology, legal frameworks, and ethical governance in women's health.

A Week of Insight and Impact

The program kicked off with a warm welcome from organizers and an insightful keynote by Dr. Andrea Biasiucci, who challenged prevailing notions about the so-called innovation gap in menopause care — highlighting how regulation can be an enabler rather than a barrier to progress.

Over five days, participants immersed themselves in expert-led lectures, interactive design sessions, and case studiesthat addressed pivotal topics:

• AI and Cybersecurity in Femtech (Dr. Liqaa Nawaf)
• Regulatory Pathways and Innovation Strategies (Dr. Vera Rödel, Karolina Magnusson)
• Digital Health and Global Justice (Dr. Christiane Hagel, Tigest Tamrat, Shada Al Salamah)
• Femtech Policy and Data Governance (Lauren Tonti, Cécile van der Heijden, Prof. Paul Quinn)

One of the most powerful discussions centered around “The Pathologization of Ageing,” featuring a diverse panel of experts examining how societal narratives and technological development shape women's health experiences later in life.

Student Engagement and Innovation

Beyond passive learning, participants formed groups to tackle real-world challenges in femtech, preparing and presenting final project assessments on the last day. Their presentations reflected a week’s worth of deep engagement with the ethical, regulatory, and design dimensions of femtech — with topics ranging from cross-border data access and equity in AI to entrepreneurial strategies for underserved health needs.

We also made time for connection and community with a city tour of Dresden, a group dinner, and an optional hike to Lingerschloss, encouraging participants to forge networks that will continue beyond this week.

The Future of Women’s Health

The 2025 Summer School made clear: the future of femtech lies not just in technological innovation, but in the thoughtful integration of legal, ethical, and societal considerations. As women's health gains overdue attention on the global stage, interdisciplinary efforts like this Summer School are essential to ensuring that solutions are equitable, inclusive, and sustainable.

We are grateful to all our speakers and participants, and especially to our partner HALL University, for co-creating an unforgettable experience that advances the dialogue on women's health technology.

Here’s to continuing the conversation—and to meeting again next summer.