Tasso and SheMed Partner to Deliver Personalized GLP-1 Weight Loss Treatments Through At-Home Blood Testing
Key Insights
Tasso (search), Inc. and SheMed (search) have partnered to provide safer, more personalized GLP-1 (search) weight loss treatments for women through at-home blood diagnostics using the Tasso+ device.
The collaboration addresses the historical underrepresentation of women in clinical trials, which has led to one-size-fits-all treatments based on male physiology.
SheMed (search)'s testing program reveals that 99% of patients show at least one out-of-range health marker during initial screening, enabling personalized treatment plans.
Medtech company Tasso (search), Inc. and UK-based women's healthcare company SheMed (search) have announced a strategic partnership to deliver safer, more personalized weight loss treatments through at-home diagnostics. The collaboration integrates Tasso's blood collection technology with SheMed's comprehensive screening program to ensure every patient completes thorough lab testing before starting GLP-1 (search) treatment.
Addressing Gender Disparities in Healthcare
For decades, women have been underrepresented in clinical trials, resulting in treatments developed primarily based on male physiology. This has created a one-size-fits-all approach that often overlooks women's specific health needs. While GLP-1 (search) medications have transformed the weight loss landscape, many women begin treatment without a complete understanding of their underlying health status, potentially increasing complications and limiting therapeutic outcomes.
"For too long, women have been left out of the conversation when it comes to clinical care," said Olivia Ferro, CEO of SheMed (search). "At SheMed, our mission is to empower women to take control of their health through safe, accessible, and personalized treatment. Tasso (search) gives our customers access to high-quality at-home blood testing, allowing us to deliver care that meets women where they are."
Revolutionary Blood Collection Technology
The partnership centers on Tasso (search)'s virtually painless, lancet-based device that streamlines blood sample collection into a process taking less than five minutes. This innovation eliminates the need for clinic visits, addressing significant patient barriers to testing. Recent survey data reveals that 78 percent of patients report anxiety around traditional blood draws, while 69 percent would not travel more than 10 miles for testing.
The Tasso (search)+ device has received FDA Class II Lancet 510(k) clearance and is compatible with multiple standard collection tubes. In 2023, Tasso secured CE mark certification for its TassoOne Plus high-volume liquid blood collection device, enabling its expansion into European markets.
Comprehensive Health Screening Reveals Critical Insights
SheMed (search)'s care model positions blood testing as central to treatment planning, revealing key health markers including diabetes (search) risk, cardiovascular health, liver function, and thyroid activity. The program has already treated thousands of women across the UK, with remarkable findings emerging from initial screenings.
Notably, 99% of patients show at least one out-of-range result during initial screening, highlighting the critical importance of comprehensive health assessment before beginning GLP-1 (search) therapy. These insights enable SheMed (search)'s care team to detect early health issues, personalize treatment plans, track progress over time, and deliver safer, more effective therapy.
Patient-Centric Innovation
"Simplifying blood collection and expanding patient access to essential health data is at the core of our mission at Tasso (search)," said Ben Casavant, PhD, CEO and Co-Founder of Tasso, Inc. "Our UK collaboration with SheMed (search) is a powerful example of how patient-centric innovation can close long-standing gaps in care and give individuals more control over their health."
The partnership represents a significant advancement in personalized medicine, particularly for women's healthcare. By combining convenient at-home diagnostics with comprehensive health screening, the collaboration addresses both accessibility barriers and the need for individualized treatment approaches in GLP-1 (search) therapy.
Clinical Impact and Future Implications
The collaboration's focus on personalized GLP-1 (search) treatment delivery could serve as a model for addressing gender disparities in healthcare more broadly. By ensuring comprehensive health assessment before treatment initiation, the program aims to improve both safety outcomes and therapeutic efficacy for women seeking weight loss interventions.
The partnership demonstrates how innovative medical technology can be leveraged to create more inclusive healthcare delivery models, particularly for populations historically underserved by traditional clinical trial methodologies and treatment protocols.