Innovator Q&A – “You need someone who knows the system to guide you.”

Innovator Q&A with Valentina Milanova

Discover how Health Innovation KSS helped women’s health innovator Daye further its mission to make its diagnostic tampon for HPV screening available through NHS services.

Why did you found Daye?

I had my first (heavy) period aged nine and, while growing up, realised so many other women had horror stories too.

While studying economics at university, I questioned how we could have a healthy society and economy when so many women are stuck at home nursing period pain or dropping out at the peak of their careers due to menopause symptoms.

My idea was to give tampons – a device already regularly used by millions of women – a new lease of life. We could make them safer, smaller, more absorbent and sustainable. On top of that, we could give them pain-relieving and diagnostic features.

Which of your products are you hoping to introduce to the NHS?

Daye’s diagnostic tampon for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) screening addresses the challenges in cervical cancer prevention by allowing women to screen for high-risk HPV strains in the privacy of their homes.

Patients wear the tampon (as they would normally) for 20 minutes, then send it to our UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis. It has the potential to improve accessibility, early detection rates, resource optimisation, and patient experience.

Daye also produces a diagnostic tampon for sexually transmitted infections, which works in a similar way.

What are the main challenges for innovators hoping to serve the NHS?

The NHS is under immense pressure due to rising demand, workforce shortages, and limited resources. Decision-making can be very slow with approval going through several stakeholders. It is often unclear who has accountability, which leads to a loss of momentum.

There are a number of third-party consultants who target young companies, promising to help them access the NHS for high fees – we constantly hear from these on LinkedIn and email, and it’s difficult to know where to turn.

The other major challenge is funding. Even when grants are available, it can be challenging for innovators to work out if they are eligible. We can spend lots of time putting proposals together to be told we don’t fit with very specific criteria that were hidden in the small print.

How did you find out about the Health Innovation Network?

We’re part of a three-year fellowship with the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA), which is designed to scale validated medical device and clinical innovation. It suggested we approach the Health Innovation Network.

How did Health Innovation KSS help?

We got in touch with Health Innovation KSS through the Innovator Engagement Form on its website. They use this information to evaluate if innovators are suitable for HIN support and a good match for the needs within their area.

Our ask was for help in meeting relevant budget holders for NHS trusts that would benefit from more affordable and accessible HPV and STI screening methods.

Health Innovation KSS Innovation Manager Sarah Barker introduced us to relevant stakeholders at ICBs, hospital trusts and NICE. Finding the relevant people to speak to in these organisations is not something you can Google, and you need someone who knows the system to guide you.

Through conversations Sarah had with system colleagues, we learnt that one ICB we were targeting was already progressing with the NHSE self-sampling swabs, so they weren’t ready for us. It’s so valuable for innovators to get high-quality, honest feedback from the system, so that we know where to focus our efforts.

Meanwhile, an introduction by the national Health Innovation Network has resulted in a pilot trial with North Central London ICB. Our diagnostic tampons will deliver HPV self-screening to patients who have ignored their cervical cancer screening letters and have not participated in cervical cancer prevention programmes.

How did the Health Innovation KSS help you navigate grant funding?

Although Daye has completed clinical trials and has regulatory approval, it is still a challenge to get budget approval from NHS trusts. For example, a hospital recently evaluated our diagnostic test for chlamydia screening in pregnancy. Even at £5 per patient, we were considered too expensive. However, the hospital really needs and wants this type of service, so we are applying for charity grants to run the pilot.

Separately, Health Innovation KSS introduced us to grant managers at Innovate UK and Biomedical Catalyst. This was incredibly helpful as we could ask people directly whether we were suitable for specific programmes.

What would you say to innovators wanting to work with the NHS?

Working with the Health Innovation Network is essential. Otherwise, you’re missing out on numerous opportunities, connecting with the right stakeholders and being put in front of the right decision-makers.

Working with Sarah at Health Innovation KSS was really refreshing – she came prepared, didn’t overpromise and underdeliver, and was really proactive in updating us.

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