Maven Clinic, the world’s largest virtual clinic for family and fertility benefits serving millions of members globally, has taken a major step to build the evidence base for digital maternal and family health by launching the Maven Research Institute. The new institute, announced on January 26, 2026, will conduct independent, peer-reviewed research on the clinical, economic, and equity impact of virtual-first care models addressing a longstanding gap in high-quality data that has slowed broader adoption and reimbursement of digital health solutions in women’s health.

The Maven Research Institute will operate as a dedicated research arm within the company, led by a team of epidemiologists, health economists, biostatisticians, and clinician-researchers. It will collaborate with leading academic centres, employer partners, health plans, and independent investigators to design and execute studies that meet the highest standards of scientific rigour. Planned research includes randomised controlled trials, pragmatic trials, observational cohort studies, and health economics analyses across Maven’s core service lines: fertility treatment support, prenatal and postpartum care, mental health, menopause, and family planning.

Key focus areas for the institute’s initial work include:

Clinical outcomes of virtual prenatal care versus traditional in-person models

Impact of digital fertility coaching and monitoring on IVF success rates and time-to-pregnancy

Effectiveness of virtual postpartum mental health support in reducing depression and anxiety

Cost savings and return-on-investment for employers offering Maven benefits

Equity analyses to ensure digital models reduce rather than widen disparities in access and outcomes

All studies will adhere to ICMJE and CONSORT guidelines, with protocols pre-registered, data made available for independent verification, and results published regardless of direction. Maven has committed to making de-identified datasets available for secondary analyses where possible, fostering transparency and reproducibility.

Katherine Ryder, Founder and CEO of Maven Clinic, said: “Digital maternal health has enormous potential, but we need rigorous, independent evidence to prove it. The Maven Research Institute will generate the high-quality data that clinicians, payers, employers, and policymakers need to confidently scale these solutions—ensuring families everywhere can benefit from better, more accessible care.”

The institute’s launch comes at a pivotal time for women’s health. Digital solutions have shown promise in improving access and outcomes, yet many stakeholders remain cautious due to limited long-term evidence. By investing in independent research, Maven aims to build trust, support reimbursement decisions, and contribute to evidence-based guidelines for virtual care in fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.

The first studies are already underway in partnership with major employers and academic collaborators, with initial publications expected in late 2026 and 2027.