CEMAG Care
Breaking Boundaries In Women’s Health

Women’s health has long been riddled with disparities, but a transformative shift is underway. Groundbreaking medical advancements and a genuine commitment to inclusivity and psychological well-being are converging to close that health gap. At the heart of this change is Paris-based pharmaceutical company CEMAG Care, a name that has become synonymous with transformative sexual and reproductive healthcare.

Since it was founded in 2016, CEMAG Care’s journey has been deeply intertwined with the prior ventures of its founder, Dr. André Ulmann. In 1999, Dr. Ulmann founded HRA Pharma and developed NorLevo, a progestin-only emergency contraceptive pill. NorLevo completely transformed the morning-after pill horizon by offering greater effectiveness and significantly reduced side effects in a single dose. His legacy of prioritising women’s comfort and well-being continues to drive CEMAG Care’s innovative work today.

From non-hormonal contraceptives and abortion pills to menstrual health management and quality of life improvements, the company focuses on developing products that address specific and often overlooked areas of women’s healthcare.

CEMAG Care’s mission is deeply rooted in inclusivity. The company doesn’t just focus on medical solutions; it strives to ensure these solutions are safe, effective and accessible to all ‘womxn,’ including cisgender, transgender and non-binary individuals. This forward-thinking makes it a holistic women’s health champion, setting new benchmarks for a brighter, healthier future for all.

Simple Products that Make a Difference

“Our deliberate strategy is to address unmet needs rather than just adding another item to the shelf. We find a real solution to a pressing problem,” says Clémence Desjardin, COO of CEMAG Care.

One growing trend is the demand for non-hormonal contraceptives. Many women are seeking alternatives that provide effective contraception but don’t disrupt their natural hormonal balance, leading to weight fluctuations, mood changes and sleep disturbances. CEMAG Care is addressing this need with Yanae®, an innovative Copper IUD solution. Copper IUDs are renowned for their efficacy and lack of side effects, yet many women fear painful insertion. Recognising this barrier, CEMAG Care designed its solution specifically for painless insertion.

The device is based on a U.S.-based technology that was developed in 2019. The final development steps, including the CE marking, have been conducted and coordinated remotely during the COVID lockdown with the CrossBay U.S. team based in San Diego, the Indian manufacturing site based in Mumbai (Pregna International Ltd.) and the CEMAG team in Paris. Yanae® has already started showing promising success after its initial launch in France. Plans are underway to expand its availability, with market authorisations already secured in Canada and Ireland. Launches are also expected in Austria and Germany.

More such projects are in the pipeline for solutions that provide practical options for women outside the current efficacy window of three days for no-label pills and five days for ulipristal (ellaOne). In an effort to put control back into women’s hands, the company is also developing solutions aimed at improving access to abortion and enhancing the safety and accessibility of these procedures.

Addressing Stigma around Periods

Despite significant strides in women’s health, menstrual health remains a topic shrouded in taboo and misconceptions across many cultures. This persistent stigma, coupled with a lack of comprehensive education and awareness, often leads to inadequate care and support for menstrual-related issues, impacting quality of life and well-being for millions of women.

A big step in the right direction is the development of Nexag®. This innovative approach, designed to treat heavy menstrual bleeding, exemplifies CEMAG Care’s commitment to making menstrual health management as pain-free and effective as possible. Nexag® is a new formulation and dosage of tranexamic acid, a molecule well known in haemophilia treatment, to create a targeted solution that slows the breakdown of blood clots, hence reduce bleeding.

Our Deliberate Strategy Is To Address Unmet Needs Rather Than Just Adding Another Item To The Shelf. We Find A Real Solution To A Pressing Problem

Dysmenorrhea, or menstrual pain, has long been addressed with muscle relaxers that can have many side effects. CEMAG Care is working on bringing new approaches, too.

Improving Quality of Life in Palliative Care

Many patients are unaware of the potential for malodorous wounds to produce unpleasant odours until they experience them firsthand during recovery. Once a wound begins to smell, it is crucial for caregivers to address the issue to preserve the patient’s quality of life. CEMAG Care’s secondary dressing, Cinesteam®, provides a quick, effective solution, using cinnamon as its primary active ingredient.

Cinesteam®’s innovative design features an adsorbent core paired with a cinnamon sachet, which captures unwanted volatile organic compounds (VOC) and releases cinnamon’s natural aroma in return. This dignity-restoring innovation empowers patients to reclaim their social lives and confidence, significantly improving their overall well-being during the healing process.

Small Team, Big Impact

Outsized impact perfectly sums up CEMAG Care. With just 24 employees, you might expect them to be a small, local operation. Instead, they’re making waves globally, with products available in over 15 countries, including major markets like the U.S., Canada, Brazil, South Africa and various European countries. This global reach isn’t just about market foothold; it shows how universal the need for innovative women’s health solutions truly is.

But CEMAG Care isn’t just about getting their products on shelves worldwide. It actively partners with NGOs to make sure its innovations reach women in need, no matter their location or economic situation. This accessibility is at the heart of CEMAG Care’s mission to improve women’s health on a global scale.

Plans for a Better Tomorrow

As impressive as its current portfolio is, CEMAG Care is not slowing down. Each new development represents a step towards a world where no woman’s health needs go unaddressed.

It understands that the future of FemTech isn’t just about medical accomplishments; it encompasses a broad, socioeconomic vision of a world where every woman’s health autonomy is prioritised, and their needs are met with the attention, innovation and care they deserve. By constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in women’s healthcare, CEMAG Care inspires hope to bring about that incredibly meaningful change.