Wisp, a telehealth company for women, spear a partnership with Visby Medical on Thursday to increase access to Visby’s at-home polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for sexually transmitted infections.
Based in New York Strand is a direct-to-consumer company offering treatments for a variety of sexual and reproductive health needs, including birth control, fertility, menopause, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Visby Medical’s Women’s Sexual Health PCR Test is palm-sized and capable of providing results in 30 minutes via the company’s mobile app. It tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis using a single swab. The test costs $149.99 and is a qualifying expense for Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts. It is also approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Through this new partnership, those who receive a positive Visby test result can then be referred to Wisp for follow-up care, at no additional cost. Patients receive a virtual consultation with a Wisp provider, who can prescribe antibiotics – if appropriate – that can be shipped to their home.
The partnership with Wisp makes the Visby test more actionable, according to Adam de la Zerda, CEO and founder of Visby.
“Wisp brings a strong, established telehealth platform focused on women’s health and the ability to provide timely, discreet and clinically robust follow-up care,” de la Zerda told MedCity News. “That was key. A test is only as good as what happens next, and Wisp ensures patients can quickly speak with a licensed provider and access treatment without unnecessary delays or obstacles.”
Currently, more than 1 million treatable sexually transmitted infections are contracted worldwide every day among people aged 15 to 49, with most cases having no symptoms and potentially leading to long-term health problems if left untreated. In the United States, complications from untreated STIs are linked to nearly 100,000 cases of infertility among women each year.
By working together, the companies hope to “close the gap between testing and treatment,” said Wisp CEO Monica Cepak.
“Too often, patients face delays, friction or dropouts after being tested,” she said in an email. “This partnership is designed to create a seamless end-to-end experience, from diagnosis to care, all at home. Longer term, the focus is on expanding access, reducing untreated infections and setting a new standard in sexual health care delivery.”
Other digital women’s health companies include Visana Health and Hello Alpha, while other companies offering STI testing include Evvy and myLab Box.
Photo: metamorworks, Getty Images