Qvin’s Q-Pad™ Earns Special Mention in TIME’s Best Inventions 2024

On October 30, 2024, Qvin—a biotech innovator—earned a Special Mention in TIME Best Inventions 2024 Special Mention list for its groundbreaking Q-Pad™ A1c Test System, which redefines menstrual health data usage to advance women’s health and democratize healthcare access.

What is the Q-Pad™ A1c Test System?

The Q-Pad™ is a menstrual blood-based diagnostic tool that allows women with diabetes to monitor hemoglobin A1c—a key biomarker for managing diabetes—conveniently from home.

How the Q-Pad™ Works: A Simple and Private Testing Process

The Q-Pad™ A1c Test System consists of an organic cotton menstrual pad embedded with a blood collection strip. This enables women to collect a sample during their cycle and mail it to Qvin’s certified lab.

Results are provided within days via a secure mobile app.

FDA Approval and Clinical Accuracy

After a clinical study confirmed the Q-Pad™’s accuracy in A1c testing—comparable to traditional blood draws—the Q-Pad™ A1c Test System earned FDA approval.

For millions of women with diabetes, regular A1c testing is essential for effective blood sugar management. However, traditional testing often involves time-consuming, invasive procedures.

Qvin’s Q-Pad transforms this by offering an affordable, private alternative.

Expanding Healthcare Access

The Q-Pad also opens new doors for those with limited access to healthcare, creating a model that could revolutionize health diagnostics for millions globally.

Future Potential: Biomarkers Beyond Diabetes

Beyond diabetes, Qvin is exploring additional biomarkers that menstrual blood can reveal, such as indicators for anemia, fertility, and even HPV.

The innovation is attracting attention as a sustainable diagnostic approach, with Qvin’s research supported by institutions like Stanford University.

WRITTEN BY Daniel Trecroci, POSTED 11/04/24, UPDATED 11/04/24

Dan has written about diabetes for more than 20 years. He was one of Diabetes Health's first recruits, and throughout his 10 + years as Managing Editor he wrote/published thousands of articles and helped establish Diabetes Health as the premiere resource for people with diabetes. He later became the Content Manager for OneTouchGold—Johnson & Johnson/LifeScan’s official digital publication for its metering-technology customers. Under his leadership, OneTouchGold received the Web Marketing Association’s award for “Best Health & Wellness" web site. Dan has also written for the Diabetes Research Institute, dLife, diaTribe, Healthline, CareDx, Pendulum Therapeutics, and Hero Bread.