LOULIA KASSEM

Reimagining women's health diagnostics

Pharmaceutical Biotechnologist | Entrepreneur | TEDx Speaker

Watch my TEDx talk

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 diagnostic tools that help assess the risk of 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 a 700-woman multicenter clinical study led by CHUV Lausanne, and is preparing CE marking under the European IVDR.

Loulia Kassem giving a presentation, holding a microphone in one hand and a remote in the other, standing in front of a white wall with plants.

About

Learn more
Loulia Kassem presenting at a medical technology booth with a large display screen. The booth has a prominent green sign reading 'svisstech.' and a small red and white Swiss flag with the word Switzerland.

My company

Rea Diagnostics is a Swiss startup I co-founded and lead as CEO. We're developing PremaSure, a rapid test to help assess the risk of preterm birth in pregnant women with symptoms, giving them and their doctors clearer information earlier. PremaSure is under clinical investigation in a 700-woman study led by CHUV Lausanne. It is not CE-marked, not FDA-authorized and not available for sale.

Preterm birth is the leading cause of death for children under five worldwide. Our goal is to change that statistic.

Visit Rea Diagnostics

Recent awards

SXSW Pitch, Best Inclusivity

2026

ChangeNOW, Best Health Startup

2026

PERL Innovation Prize

Springboard Women's Health Accelerator

2026

2026

IMD Startup Competition, Winner

2025

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.

  • A journey through centuries of medical failures — and the innovations finally changing the narrative.

  • The economics of women's health: why the funding gap exists, what it costs society, and how to close it.

  • 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

Loulia Kassem speaking at a podium on stage during a conference, with a large screen behind her displaying 'rea diagnostics' and her name and title. Another woman is taking photos of her.

Stay Connected

Occasional updates on my work, speaking engagements, and the future of women's health innovation.

Event poster for TEDx LausanneWomen titled "Look Up," scheduled for November 21, 2025, at 6:30 PM at the SwissTech Convention Center. The poster features headshots and descriptions of nine women speakers, including Anne-Sophie Pic, Kirsty Covent, Noor Sweid, Loulia Kassem, Cindy Gallop, MissMe, Meagan Fallone, and Lheim Khodja. The design includes a stylized illustration of a woman with sunglasses and an afro hairstyle at the bottom right corner.