Words by Isabel O’Brien
A breakthrough fertility drug that could improve the chances of IVF success shows positive Phase 2 results, drugmaker Oxolife announced at the 40th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).
The non-hormonal drug targets the lining of the uterus to improve embryo implantation by encouraging the embryo to stop rolling, penetrate the endometrial tissue and complete implantation.
This innovation aims to address a major cause of heartache for many women undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatments such as IVF, which currently has a success rate of 20-35%, depending on the mother’s age and other factors.
Agnès Arbat, CEO, Oxolife, expressed optimism: “Most rounds of IVF or ICSI still end in failure – many, because a viable embryo does not implant. A simple-to-take pill that materially improves the chance of success would therefore be of huge benefit to those who want a baby. This proof-of-concept phase 2 study shows that hope is now a step closer.”
Professor Dr Karen Sermon, Chair, ESHRE, who was not involved in the study, also commented on the significance of the findings: “A jump of nearly seven percentage points is very good news for our patients, and hopefully, this can be confirmed in larger patient groups.”
Extensive preclinical testing and clinical testing in 300 women to date have shown it has an excellent safety profile. Follow-up studies of babies six months after birth revealed normal development, with no differences compared to those whose mothers received a placebo.
With about one in six women of childbearing age experiencing trouble conceiving, and the use of fertility treatments on the rise globally, Oxolife’s new drug represents a significant potential breakthrough in reproductive medicine.
