Startup Success: Wendy Davis helps save the lives of mothers and infants

July 16, 2018 12:00 am • Last Updated: July 17, 2018 11:30 am

By Emma Palzere-Rae Special to The Times

Wendy Davis.

A meaningful opportunity doesn’t present itself every day. For Wendy Davis, founder and CEO of GestVision, it happened six years ago when she learned of a revolutionary discovery with potential to save the lives of mothers and infants.

“It deserved the chance to be brought to market; I knew I had to do it,” Davis says.

Davis started GestVision with a passion for improving maternal outcomes when facing preeclampsia – a leading cause of maternal death and induced preterm birth.

The GestVision team has built a novel diagnostic test for preeclampsia based on a scientific discovery made at Yale. The company holds the patent rights to the diagnostic and is initiating clinical studies for regulatory clearance.

The test will initially be used in hospitals, but eventually it could be used in OB-GYN offices and even at home. It will be available in a few years, if all goes to plan. Then diagnosing preeclampsia could be significantly improved — before it becomes a crisis.

As she puts it, “Saving lives will be the true success of GestVision.”

GestVision has benefitted from Connecticut Innovations’ assistance. In 2014, Davis pitched GestVision at a CT Innovations Shark Tank-like event — and won capital to put into the business.

“Every Connecticut entrepreneur should participate. It’s a friendly audience for meaningful feedback,” says Davis.

Connecticut Innovations also made a summer internship possible for a Connecticut College student. GestVision has six employees working at their laboratory in Groton.

“We have attracted bioscience talent locally and even from Boston. It’s an ideal location for that, and for affordability,” says Davis.

Emma Palzere-Rae is the Ignite program manager for Thames River Innovation Place. Visit www.IgniteThamesRiver.org for information on programs and resources. To suggest or submit a startup story, email times@theday.com.