About LEILA by Theresa

Theresa, you are the medical mastermind behind the LEILA algorithm. Can you share a bit about your background?

I am a specialist in gynaecology and obstetrics at a university clinic, and I have put my focus on gynaecological endocrinology and reproductive medicine. My daily work includes diagnosing, finding treatment options, caring, and supporting people with an unfulfilled desire to have children. I, therefore, know exactly the daily problems and fears of patients trying to fulfil the desire to have a child.?

How did you develop the LEILA algorithm?

The LEILA algorithm is developed on first-class evidence-based medicine. I implemented all recommendations made by the leading societies for human reproduction and embryology. In diagnosing and offering treatment options, a holistic view is furthermore included. Taking the patient’s personal history, health and wishes into account we try to formulate a diagnosis and therapy recommendation from a holistic perspective and offer a broad education spectrum.?

Our algorithm intends to educate our patients, find supportive methods based on the diagnosis including comparatively simple optimizations, and sometimes it will point out a long journey in which seeing a fertility clinic is needed to fulfil the desire for a child.?

Caroline, Silvia and you are often talking about a current gap in the healthcare system regarding infertility. Where do you experience that gap in your daily work?

Although time is one of the most critical components when it comes to wanting a child, many couples seek medical support far too late. One of the reasons for this is the couple's lack of knowledge of where to even seek help. Another reason is that the first step into a clinic is often associated with stigma and fear. We see that many couples first seek help online. What's missing here, however, is a product like LEILA, which offers individualized, medical fertility diagnostics which can point out suitable therapeutic paths. LEILA intends to fill this “gap” by supporting couples to find their right treatment path.??

Lastly, why should startups invest in medical directors and hire real doctors?

Practising physicians see patients' pain?points in real-time. While MDs might not immediately be familiar with the startup world, they are insiders who bring invaluable practical knowledge to the table. And from a legal point of view, they make business models feasible that wouldn't be otherwise.?

MDs understand doctors' day-to-day business, how the different players in the healthcare system are connected, and they are?aware of many hidden agendas. They also know how much knowledge exists out there that is never passed on to the patient. If a medical doctor has a good network, knows how to use data, can put the business hat on, and has the patient at heart, he or she is a huge asset to any startup.