Gameto's Revolutionary IVF Method Yields First Live Baby

On December 16, 2024, Gameto, a New York-based biotech company, announced what they describe as the world's first live birth using the Fertilo Procedure that matures eggs outside the body. This is a clinical milestone for the company. The delivery was conducted at Santa Isabel Clinic in Lima, Peru.

Gameto was founded in 2021 by Dr. Dina Radenkovic and Martin Varsavsky with the aim of developing innovative treatments for women's reproductive health. The company's mission is to address various challenges women face throughout their reproductive lives, including infertility, menopause, and related conditions.

Gameto raised a total of $73 million to support the clinical development and commercial launch of its ovarian support cell (OSC) technology, Fertilo, in various markets. The company has high-profile investors, including Anne Wojcicki, co-founder and CEO of 23andMe, a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company.

What is Fertilo, and how does it work?

Fertilo by Gameto is an innovative biotechnology platform designed to mature human eggs outside the body using ovarian support cells (OSCs). This groundbreaking approach addresses challenges in in vitro fertilization (IVF), egg freezing, and fertility preservation by offering a safer, faster, and less invasive alternative to traditional methods.

Gameto has engineered ovarian support cells that mimic the natural environment of the ovary. These cells provide the biochemical signals and physical support required for egg maturation. The OSCs create an artificial ovarian microenvironment that replicates the key processes of egg maturation outside the body.

Here are the key steps in the process:

• Immature eggs (oocytes) are retrieved from a woman's ovaries, often without the need for extensive hormonal stimulation. This reduces the burden and potential side effects of hormone therapy in traditional IVF.
• The immature eggs are cultured with the OSCs in a controlled laboratory setting. Over time, the eggs mature to the stage required for fertilization.
• This ex vivo maturation process eliminates the need for prolonged hormonal injections and reduces the number of clinical visits during IVF cycles.
• Once the eggs have matured, they can be fertilized using conventional IVF techniques.
• The resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus or frozen for future use.

Key Benefits of Fertilo

• Reduced Hormonal Intervention: Less reliance on hormone therapy minimizes side effects and health risks associated with traditional IVF.
• Faster Process: The egg maturation occurs outside the body, potentially shortening the overall timeline for fertility treatments.
• Accessibility: The method lowers physical and financial barriers, making IVF and fertility preservation more accessible to a broader population.
• Preservation of Ovarian Reserve: Women can preserve immature eggs for future maturation, providing more flexibility and control over reproductive choices.