A groundbreaking fertility technology has ushered in a new era in reproductive health. Developed by Gameto, the innovative Fertilo procedure uses stem cells to mature eggs outside the human body, culminating in the world’s first live birth via this method.
IVF, first successfully used in 1978, has provided hope to millions of couples facing infertility. However, the process can be physically and emotionally taxing, involving numerous hormone injections to stimulate egg production, lengthy treatment cycles, and risks like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Despite its relatively high success rate, the drawbacks often discourage many hopeful parents.
Gameto’s Fertilo offers a transformative solution. This technique relies on ovarian support cells (OSCs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to help immature eggs mature in a laboratory setting. By mimicking the body’s natural maturation process, Fertilo significantly reduces the need for hormone injections—cutting them by 80%—and shortens the treatment cycle to just three days.
The first successful live birth using this method occurred in Lima, Peru, under the guidance of Dr. Luis Guzmán at the Santa Isabel Clinic. Reflecting on the achievement, Dr. Guzmán stated, “The ability to mature eggs outside the body with minimal hormonal intervention significantly reduces risks such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and alleviates the side effects caused by high hormone doses.”
The mother of the first Fertilo baby expressed her gratitude, emphasizing how the gentler approach made her journey more hopeful. “The Fertilo method was the preferred option compared to traditional approaches. With fewer injections and a less invasive process, it gave me hope and reassurance during a deeply personal journey,” she shared.
Gameto is now partnering with IVF Australia to expand the availability of Fertilo across clinics in the country. The technology has already been approved in several nations, including Japan, Mexico, Argentina, and Paraguay, and is moving toward Phase 3 trials in the United States.
Dr. Dina Radenkovic, Gameto’s CEO and co-founder, lauded the milestone, highlighting the profound implications of Fertilo for families worldwide. “This achievement overcomes key challenges of traditional IVF, such as long treatment cycles, significant side effects, and emotional and physical strain,” she noted.
Fertilo marks the first successful integration of iPSC technology in fertility treatments. With this advancement, Gameto is setting a new benchmark for accessibility, efficiency, and safety in fertility care, bringing renewed hope to families everywhere.
