LOULIA KASSEM
Reimagining women's health diagnostics
Pharmaceutical Biotechnologist | Entrepreneur | TEDx Speaker
My mission
For too long, women's health has been overlooked, misunderstood, and underserved by medicine. From ancient theories of "wandering uteruses" to today's 180-year-old speculums, the tools of women's healthcare have barely evolved.
I'm working to change that.
Loulia Kassem is a pharmaceutical biotechnologist, second-time founder, and CEO of Rea Diagnostics SA, a Swiss medtech startup pioneering non-invasive diagnostics in women's health.
Her work focuses on transforming under-researched aspects of female biology — particularly vaginal fluids — into powerful diagnostic tools that enable early detection and prevention of major medical conditions such as preterm birth.
Loulia holds a Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from the University of Bologna and conducted her thesis research at EPFL. Before founding Rea, she established and managed a pharmaceutical trading company, gaining firsthand experience in drug registration, regulatory approval, and healthcare market dynamics.
At Rea Diagnostics, she has raised funding from both public and private capital, launched the first large-scale clinical trial for a home-based preterm birth test, and is navigating regulatory pathways for European CE marking and US FDA approval.
About
My company
Rea Diagnostics is a Swiss startup I co-founded and lead as CEO. We're developing the first clinically-validated home test for assessing preterm birth risk — giving pregnant women and their doctors critical information earlier, more simply, and with more dignity.
Preterm birth is the leading cause of death for children under five worldwide. Our goal is to change that statistic.
Awards
Forbes 30U30
2022
3x BilanZ Digital Shapers
2022, 2023, 2024
TedX Speaker
Gebert Rüf Foundation Grant
2021
2025
Innosuisse Grant
2019, 2022, 2025
Talks
Loulia shares her work at conferences, universities, and corporate events — exploring the systemic gaps in women's health and the innovations changing the landscape.
For speaking inquiries, media requests, or collaboration opportunities, please reach out via the form below.
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A journey through centuries of medical failures — and the innovations finally changing the narrative.
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The economics of women's health: why the funding gap exists, what it costs society, and how to close it.
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Navigating the journey from academic research to clinical-stage company — grants, regulation, and resilience.
Past appearances
Ted Talk (Tedx Lausanne Women)
2025
Japanese Congress
2024
Women’s Health Innovation Summit (Boston)
World Innovation Summit for Health (Doha)
2022
2023
Stay Connected
Occasional updates on my work, speaking engagements, and the future of women's health innovation.
