A groundbreaking new technique, Fertilo, has revolutionized fertility treatment by reducing the need for hormone injections, shortening treatment cycles to just a few days and increasing pregnancy rates.
A New Hope for Affordable Fertility Treatment
Traditional ‘in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a complex and costly process’ that requires patients to undergo multiple injections of hormones twice a day for two weeks, leading to uncomfortable side effects such as mood swings, headaches, bloating, and even ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. In the US alone, stimulation medications can range from $4,000 to $7,000 per treatment cycle.
IVF, also known as test-tube baby, is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) used to help individuals or couples conceive.
The process involves fertilizing an egg with sperm outside the body, typically in a laboratory.
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), IVF success rates range from 40-70% per cycle, depending on age and other factors.
In 1978, the first 'test-tube baby' was born using IVF, marking a significant breakthrough in reproductive medicine.
A Breakthrough in Reducing Hormone Treatments
New York startup Gameto has developed a technique for maturing eggs outside the body that shows promise in reducing the need for hormone treatments. The company’s method, dubbed Fertilo, replaces 80 percent of the hormone injections needed for traditional IVF, shortening the length of a treatment cycle to just a few days.
During IVM (in vitro maturation), eggs are extracted and grown in a special concoction of nutrients and growth factors. Gameto‘s approach uses ovarian ‘support’ cells derived from stem cells to ripen the eggs. This method has led to higher pregnancy rates than conventional IVM, with 70 percent maturation rate compared to 52 percent using standard IVM.
A Promising Alternative for Certain Patients
Gameto‘s study included patients under the age of 37 with a high ovarian reserve, which may have contributed to the success rate. The company plans to launch a large Phase 3 trial in the US to further evaluate Fertilo’s efficacy. While it’s unclear whether Fertilo will be better than standard IVF, it might offer a viable alternative for certain patients.
For younger patients looking to freeze their eggs or those with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), who may be more sensitive to IVF hormones, reducing the medications involved in IVF could bring costs down and make fertility treatment more accessible. Fertilo has been approved for use in several countries and is expected to lead to 20 more births this year.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age.
Characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, PCOS can lead to cysts on the Ovaries and increased levels of male hormones.
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 5-10% of women in the US have PCOS.
Symptoms include weight gain, acne, and excess hair growth.
Left untreated, PCOS increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Gameto hopes that its technology will eventually become a widely adopted alternative to traditional IVF, improving the lives of millions of people around the world.
- wired.com | Bearing Children Without Breaking the Bank
