Wisp, a women’s telehealth company, launched a partnership with Visby Medical on Thursday to increase access to Visby’s at-home polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for sexually transmitted infections.
New York City-based Wisp is a direct-to-consumer company offering treatments for different 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 able to provide results in 30 minutes through the company’s mobile app. It tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis using a single swab. The test costs $149.99 and is an eligible expense for Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts. It’s also authorized by the Food and Drug Administration.
Through the new partnership, those who receive a positive result on Visby’s test can then be referred to Wisp for follow-up care at no extra cost. Patients receive a virtual consultation with a Wisp provider, who can prescribe antibiotics — if appropriate — that can be shipped to their homes.
The partnership with Wisp makes Visby’s 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 deliver fast, discreet, and clinically sound follow-up care,” de la Zerda told MedCity News. “That was key. A test is only as valuable as what happens next, and Wisp ensures patients can quickly speak with a licensed provider and access treatment without unnecessary delays or barriers.”
Currently, over one million curable sexually transmitted infections are contracted globally each day among people ages 15-49, with most cases showing no symptoms and potentially causing long-term health problems if untreated. In the United States, complications from untreated STIs are linked to nearly 100,000 cases of infertility in women each year.
By working together, the companies hope to “close the gap between testing and treatment,” said Monica Cepak, CEO of Wisp.
“Too often, patients face delays, friction, or drop-off after getting tested,” she said in an email. “This partnership is designed to create a seamless, end-to-end experience, from diagnosis to care, all from home. Longer term, the focus is on expanding access, reducing untreated infections, and setting a new standard for how sexual health care is delivered.”
Other digital women’s health companies include Visana Health and Hello Alpha, while other companies that offer STI testing include Evvy and myLab Box.
Photo: metamorworks, Getty Images
