University of Leeds spinout IVFmicro has received a £3.5m investment that will improve outcomes for patients undergoing fertility treatment.
The company, co-founded in 2018 by Dr Virginia Pensabene and Professor Helen Picton, has developed a microfluidic device that enhances the quality and number of embryos in an IVF treatment cycle.
The pre-seed funding is led by Northern Gritstone with support from Innovate UK Investor Partnerships Programme, and will be used by IVFmicro for its next verification and validation phase, leading to trials on human embryos in fertility clinics.
Globally, one in six couples will face fertility issues, yet IVF success rates are only 25-30% in women aged under 35.
This is due in part to limitations of the embryo culture process, which typically involves repetitive handling, subjective selection of the best embryo and the expense of highly skilled operators.
Improving embryo quality and quantity
Average costs for one IVF cycle are £5,000 for a UK-based patient.
IVFmicro's precision-engineered microfluidic device enables safe management of embryo culture and uses small amounts of nutrient-rich fluid.
This provides a 10-15% improvement in embryo quality and quantity, boosting the likelihood that an embryo will implant and result in a pregnancy.
Professor Picton, Scientific Director of IVFmicro, is a non-clinical expert in female reproductive biology and embryology in the University's School of Medicine and has generated more than £8m in research grant income.
She said: "My career has focused on understanding the reproductive biology of eggs and embryos, how they develop and, crucially, why things sometimes go wrong.
"At IVFmicro, we are harnessing years of research into reproductive biology to create a practical, accessible solution that can improve outcomes for patients undergoing fertility treatment.
"Our goal is to make IVF more effective, more predictable, and ultimately more hopeful for those striving to start a family."
Dr Pensabene, CEO of IVFmicro is an Associate Professor in the University of Leeds' School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, who has published scientific advancements in microfluidics and brings technical and scientific expertise to the product design.
Dr Pensabene said: "As a biomedical engineer, I began exploring the potential of this technology in 2017, when Helen and I first met at the University of Leeds.
"From the start, our goal was to translate our research into a real solution for patients. Thanks to the combination of grant funding and Northern Gritstone's support — both through investment and its innovation programmes — we have been able to grow our team in Leeds and take a major step toward bringing this precision-engineered IVF solution to market."
The hard work and expertise of the IVFmicro team will change the lives of those experiencing infertility.
Northern Gritstone is an investment company dedicated to supporting ambitious science and technology businesses in the North of England.
IVFmicro is part of the NG Studios programme, which supports pre-seed life science businesses, and is delivered by accelerator KQ Labs, The Francis Crick Institute and Northern Gritstone.
Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone, said: "IVFMicro is a brilliant example of the world-class innovation emerging from the Northern Arc's universities, combining scientific excellence with a clear commercial vision to tackle the societal challenge of infertility.
"Millions worldwide require fertility treatment, but new solutions are needed to overcome the high costs involved and low success rates."
IVFmicro is based at Nexus, the University of Leeds community and hub for innovators and entrepreneurs.
Professor Nick Plant, Pro-Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation at the University of Leeds, said: "The hard work and expertise of the IVFmicro team will change the lives of those experiencing infertility.
"This well-deserved investment is further evidence of the outstanding talent that exists within our highly innovative research community.
"We are proud to support Helen and Virginia in harnessing and commercialising their research and look forward to working with them as they embark on their next chapter."
