Women’s brain health is receiving increasing attention, yet significant gaps remain in our understanding of how neurological conditions affect women differently from men. Women are more likely to experience disorders such as migraine and Alzheimer’s disease, while sex-specific biological factors, hormonal changes, and historical gaps in research continue to influence diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Research also shows that women’s health has long been underrepresented in neuroscience, limiting our understanding of disease mechanisms and opportunities for innovation.
Join the MVA Women’s Health Network in for an afternoon dedicated to women’s brain health. Bringing together experts from academia, hospitals, and the life science industry, the seminar will explore how sex and gender influence brain health across the lifespan, and why a greater focus on women-specific research is essential for improving patient outcomes and advancing innovation.
The seminar will highlight ongoing research, clinical perspectives, and industry efforts to address unmet needs in women’s brain health. Participants will also have the opportunity to discuss how improved data collection, greater representation of women in research, and increased investment in women’s health can help close existing knowledge gaps and accelerate innovation.
Whether you work in academia, healthcare, biotech, pharmaceuticals, or healthcare innovation, this event offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into an emerging field that sits at the intersection of neuroscience, women’s health, and life science innovation.
We look forward to welcoming you to an engaging afternoon of knowledge sharing, discussion, and networking.
Date: Tuesday, 17th November 2026
Time: 14:00 – 18:30
Venue: Medicon Valley Alliance, Arne Jacobsens Vej 13, Hub3, Auditorium
Program
| 14:00 | Registration & networking |
| 14:30 |
Welcome Anette Steenberg, CEO, Medicon Valley Alliance |
| 14:40 | Prognosis of Alzheimer’s Disease – the Impact of Sex Carina Wattmo, Cognitive Disorders Research Unit at Lund University |
| 15:00 | Title TBA Speaker TBA, Abbvie |
| 15:20 | Multiomics atlas of the menstrual cycle, cyclome: dynamics of ADHD-symptoms Thomas Folkmann Hansen, Professor and Research Leader, Technical University Hospital and Rigshospitalet |
| 15:40 | Coffee Break |
| 16:10 | Title TBA Speaker TBA |
| 16:30 | Title TBA Speaker TBA |
| 16:50 | Panel discussion Moderated by Helene Larsen, Experienced Life Science Innovation Leader |
| 17:30 | Networking and drinks |
| 18:30 | End of meeting |
Speakers
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Carina Wattmo is affiliated with the Cognitive Disorders Research Unit at Lund University. She holds a PhD in Medical Science and has a multidisciplinary background in nursing, statistics and business administration. Her research focuses on Alzheimer’s disease progression, including risk factors associated with cognitive and functional outcomes, and the development of statistical prediction models that may support research into future therapies. |
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Thomas Folkmann Hansen is Professor of Translational Neurogenetics and Multiomics at DTU Health Technology and Rigshospitalet–Glostrup, where he heads the NeuroGenomics group in the translational research centre TRACE. His research combines large-scale genomics, multiomics and Danish nationwide registry data to uncover the molecular basis of neurological disorders: migraine, chronic pain, and cognitive traits, with the aim of moving these fields towards precision medicine. He leads Cyclome, a deep-phenotyping cohort mapping the menstrual cycle across genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and microbiome layers alongside cognitive and symptom measures. |
| Moderator | |
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Helene Larsen is a diagnostics and healthcare innovation leader with a passion for translating science into real-world impact. With more than 15 years of experience spanning diagnostics, R&D, commercial strategy, and innovation leadership, she has built organisations, scaled multidisciplinary teams, and led complex programmes from concept to development. Her expertise lies at the intersection of science, technology, and business, where she develops strategic partnerships, commercialise innovation, and help organisations navigate growth in regulated healthcare environments. She is particularly passionate about advancing diagnostics, building high-performing teams, and creating collaborations that accelerate innovation and improve patient outcomes. |
The deadline for registration is 15th November 2026
The MVA Women’s Health network
Joining the MVA Women’s Health Network is free of charge but is limited to Medicon Valley Alliance members. Non-member organizations and companies are welcome to attend one network event to evaluate the relevance of joining the network. For more information, please contact Katrine Brems Olsen at kbo@mva.org
| Organised by | In collaboration with |
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