EIV invests $100,000 in Ananya Health for cervical cancer device

EIV invests $100,000 in Ananya Health for cervical cancer device EHA Impact Ventures (EIV) has announced a follow-on investment of $100,000 in Ananya Health to support the development of its cervical cancer prevention device towards US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance. The investment marks EIV's third investment in Ananya Health and reinforces its commitment to providing long-term, founder-centred capital to women-led businesses tackling critical healthcare challenges across Africa. Ananya Health is developing a battery-powered cryoablation device designed to freeze abnormal cervical cells before they become cancerous. Unlike traditional cryoablation, which requires specialised doctors, cryogen gas and expensive equipment, the device is designed to be portable, affordable and simple enough for clinicians who already perform pelvic examinations, including obstetrician-gynaecologists and nurse midwives, to use at primary healthcare centres. 'Every clinical milestone we've hit has been built on the assumption that this device needs to work for a midwife in Nairobi and an OB-GYN in Chicago alike,' said Anu Parvatiyar, CEO of Ananya Health. 'EIV's reinvestment moves us closer to FDA clearance to make sure we can get this device to patients everywhere and prevent women from suffering from a preventable disease.' The latest funding will support the company's pursuit of FDA 510(k) clearance, a regulatory pathway for marketing the device in the United States. The funding will cover the technical, clinical, and regulatory work required to reach the milestone by mid-2027, before the device can proceed toward commercialisation. EIV CEO Evelyn Castle said medical innovation required patience, noting that the path from concept to commercialisation was rarely linear, particularly for medical devices subject to rigorous regulatory requirements. 'Our follow-on investment in Ananya Health reflects our belief that meaningful impact is created when investors remain committed beyond the first cheque,' Castle said. Ananya Health has already achieved key technical milestones, including developing a battery-operated cooling system that can consistently reach -40 degrees Celsius. The company has also established partnerships with clinical organisations, advocacy groups and screening companies to support adoption in target markets, including the United States, Mexico, Nigeria and India. If cleared and commercialised, the device could expand access to cervical cancer prevention in underserved communities by enabling procedures to be carried out at primary healthcare facilities rather than being limited to specialist centres. EIV said the investment reflects its broader commitment to supporting founders beyond initial funding and helping them develop healthcare solutions that can improve lives at scale.