Noninvasive Procedure Improves Success Rate of IVF

A safe, simple, noninvasive procedure provides an objective measure of embryo viability, and when used as an adjunct to morphology, helps clinicians identify embryos of highest reproductive potential for in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Called the ViaMetrics-E procedure, it uses a highly sensitive method of metabolomic analysis by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, the can be performed on-site in just minutes, requiring only a small amount of spent culture media.

The procedure promises to be revolutionary for the millions of people worldwide who are affected by infertility. The technology fulfills an unmet medical need and it is well positioned to tap into the US$4 billion global IVF market. Further, the technology may hold significant potential to increase IVF success rates, while minimizing the number IVF cycles required to achieve a live birth. ViaMetrics-E could also provide physicians with a procedure that will reduce the incidence, costs, and medical risks associated with multiple births, which constitute more than one-third of births under current IVF methods.

ViaMetrics-E was developed by the metabolomics company, Molecular Biometrics (Chester, NJ, USA). Safeguard Scientifics (Wayne, PA, USA), a holding company that provides growth capital for entrepreneurial and innovative technology and life sciences companies, has announced it co-led a $12 million Series A financing round with Oxford Bioscience Partners (OBP; Boston, MA, USA), a venture capital firm, for Molecular Biometrics. Molecular Biometrics will use the financing to support ongoing R&D for ViaMetrics-E and to launch the patented technology in Europe, Japan, and Australia sometime in 2009.

James A. Datin, executive vice president and managing director of the Life Sciences Group at Safeguard commented, "Safeguard partners with entrepreneurial life sciences companies who have differentiated products and a competitive advantage in markets that represent sizable opportunities. We look for strong management teams that address key strategic themes throughout our target markets--molecular and point-of-care diagnostics, medical devices or specialty pharmaceuticals--and are on a solid trajectory towards global commercialization.”

Related Links:
Molecular Biometrics
Safeguard Scientifics
Oxford Bioscience Partners