De-Risking Diagnostics for Maternal Health and Beyond

De-Risking Diagnostics for Maternal Health and Beyond

In this episode of the Driving the Business of Science podcast, host Keith Parent, CEO of Court Square Group, speaks with Dean Remy, Co-founder & COO/ CCO of Mativa Diagnostics about innovation in the life science industry and women’s health. Dean shares insights from his 35-year career across diagnostics, biotech, and therapeutics, with a growing focus on maternal health. Mativa is developing a diagnostic platform for pregnancy that can detect ectopic pregnancy and preeclampsia, significantly improving test sensitivity and providing more comprehensive care pathways.

Their AI-enabled, app-driven platform connects women to a free maternal ecosystem that supports both mental and physical health. Dean also discusses Matiba’s planned $125 million fundraising round to develop multiple MVPs—including chips for pregnancy and risk factors, pregnancy maintenance checks, gestational diabetes, STIs, and drugs-of-abuse—alongside a first-in-class maternal biorepository. This biorepository is designed to de-risk investment by spinning out as a uniquely valuable sample and data asset, targeting over 1 million cryopreserved samples across diverse populations, age groups, sample types, and longitudinal time points during and beyond pregnancy.

     Listen on your favorite podcast platforms

iHeart Radio | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Buzzsprout

 

Guest Profile – Dean Remy, Co-founder and COO / CCO, Mativa Diagnostics

Dean Remy is a senior commercial executive and venture operator with extensive experience supporting early-stage and growth-phase technology-enabled businesses through disciplined commercialization, capital deployment, and governance-led scale. His background aligns closely with European institutional investment priorities, including operational rigor, transparency, and sustainable long-term value creation.

Dean is the Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Mativa Diagnostics, developing a rapid at-home pregnancy test with integrated risk assessment for ectopic pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. Since co-founding the company in November 2024, Dean has led the development of structured Scientific, Commercial, and Operational Plans, ensuring alignment across clinical validation, regulatory strategy, device and software development, and market entry. He is also responsible for seed-stage capital formation, investor engagement, and partnership development, with a focus on milestone-based execution and responsible capital stewardship.

In parallel, Dean serves as Fractional Chief Commercial Officer at IoTwin, an AI- and IoT-enabled digital twin platform for intelligent crisis response and global facility management. His role has focused on professionalising the company’s commercial function, including the design of repeatable go-to-market processes, strategic partnership frameworks, and scalable contracting structures. These efforts have supported early proof-of-concept deployments and established a foundation for measured, capital-efficient growth.

Dean also contributes at the board and advisory level within the life sciences sector. He is a Strategic Advisory Board Member at Elate Medical, a CAR-T therapeutics company advancing solid tumor treatments, where he supports downstream commercial planning and investor engagement. Additionally, he serves as an Advisory Board Member at Quantum Technology Group, advising on both scientific and commercial strategy for patented nano-crystal fluorescent technologies applied across life sciences and advanced technical markets.

Previously, Dean acted as a Fundraising & Commercial Advisor to Kolibri, where he supported commercial and financial strategy development, coordinated structured investor outreach, and oversaw the evaluation and alignment of strategic partners across assay, device, software, and regulatory domains.

Dean is recognized for his clear and measured communication style with investors, disciplined approach to execution, and commitment to governance, accountability, and ethical growth. Across his career, Dean has demonstrated the capability to translate complex scientific and technical innovation into credible, investor-grade commercial strategies; to establish operational frameworks that support transparency and risk management; and to act as a reliable operating partner to institutional capital. His leadership positions Mativa Diagnostics to engage effectively with European investors seeking active partnership, structured growth, and sustainable value creation.

.

 

Introduction: Court Square Group and the Driving the Business of Science Podcast

• Keith Parent introduces himself as the CEO of Court Square Group, a managed service firm specializing in IT infrastructure for life science companies.
• The podcast aims to provide insights into the life science industry, particularly focusing on clinical and regulatory content through their regulated content management system, RegDocs365™.
• Keith mentions the purpose of the podcast is to introduce various industry professionals to a broader audience, highlighting the diverse roles within the life science industry.
• Dean Remy, Co-founder and CCO of Mativa Diagnostics, is introduced as the special guest for the episode.

Dean Remy’s Background and Involvement in Women’s Health

• Dean Remy shares his extensive background in therapeutics, including antibodies, peptides, and various cell therapies.
• Dean has 35 years of experience in life sciences, starting in diagnostics and moving into research, particularly in cancer and immuno-oncology.
• Dean discusses his long-term involvement in women’s health, focusing on de-risking strategies for diagnostics, which have historically been less attractive to investors compared to therapeutics.

Understanding the Difference Between Diagnostics and Therapeutics

• Dean explains the historical demarcation between therapeutics and diagnostics, where therapeutics companies focused on broad biomarkers and diagnostic companies developed specific tools.
• The evolution of therapeutics required more precise biomarkers to target specific indications, leading to a closer alignment between pharma and diagnostic development.
• Dean highlights the platform-based approach of Mativa Diagnostics, which licenses biomarkers for ectopic pregnancy and preeclampsia to change the diagnostic landscape.
• Keith and Dean discuss the current limitations of pregnancy tests, which have not significantly advanced in the past 50 years, and the need for more sensitive and specific diagnostic tools.

Mativa Diagnostics’ Innovative Diagnostic Platform

• Dean elaborates on the diagnostic platform developed by Mativa Diagnostics, which includes tests for ectopic pregnancy and preeclampsia.
• The platform aims to provide more comprehensive information to patients, including risk assessments and care navigation, beyond just confirming pregnancy.
• Dean emphasizes the importance of addressing the mental health aspects of pregnancy, including the high rates of suicide among pregnant women and the need for supportive services.
• The diagnostic platform will be available in various retail locations and clinics upon FDA approval, providing easy access to patients.

Challenges and Opportunities in Women’s Health Diagnostics

• Dean shares the challenges of raising funds in the current market, despite the significant potential of women’s health diagnostics.
• Mativa Diagnostics is planning a $125 million raise to develop multiple MVPs and take them through the regulatory approval process.
• The company also plans to build a maternal biorepository to support the validation of their products and de-risk the investment.
• Dean discusses the importance of diverse representation in the biorepository to ensure comprehensive data collection and support for various demographic groups.

Future Plans and Investment Opportunities

• Dean outlines the future plans for Mativa Diagnostics, including the development of additional diagnostic chips for gestational diabetes and STI detection.
• The company aims to partner with major players in the women’s health ecosystem to provide comprehensive support to patients.
• Dean invites potential investors, including founders, high net worth individuals, family offices, and VCs, to consider investing in Mativa Diagnostics.
• Keith concludes the podcast by expressing admiration for Dean’s work and looking forward to the future impact of Mativa Diagnostics in the market.