New test for target-directed hormone treatment in assisted reproduction

Every year, 2.5 million hormone treatments are performed globally to support assisted reproduction, at a cost of SEK 100,000 (EUR 10,000) per attempt, amounting to SEK 250 billion annually. Despite these efforts, up to 75% of treatments fail, placing an immense financial and emotional burden on patients and healthcare systems. In many countries, governments cover three treatment attempts, resulting in an estimated SEK 196 billion taxpayer cost. If pregnancies could be achieved in the first attempt, costs could be reduced by SEK 96 billion (51%), making fertility treatments more accessible and efficient.

Currently, hormone treatment decisions are based on factors such as age, weight, and egg reserve, with the latter determined through hormonal analysis of blood samples. This approach is expensive, labor-intensive, and time-consuming, requiring specialized laboratories and delaying personalized treatment adjustments.

Objective

The aim of this project was to develop an efficient, inexpensive, and simple method to predict the optimal hormonal treatment for women undergoing assisted reproduction.

As part of this effort, researchers at Lund University, a long-standing ReproUnion partner, developed a breakthrough diagnostic test. This test offers a fast, cost-effective, and simple alternative. This innovative method predicts optimal hormone treatment for women undergoing assisted reproduction. The test is affordable, fast, easy to use, and does not require complex laboratory equipment or software, making it easily accessible.

Beyond female fertility, this method is also being trialed in men with poor sperm production, expanding its potential impact. The project has already led to the creation of a spinout company, DX4Life (dx-4life.com), which is working to bring this diagnostic test to market and improve fertility treatment success rates globally.

Potential Impact

By simplifying and improving fertility treatments, this innovation has the potential to revolutionize reproductive medicine, reducing costs, improving patient outcomes, and making assisted reproduction more effective and accessible.