Fertility Friday - Week of January 6

In this week’s Fertility Friday, Fierce Healthcare highlights TMRW’s Series B funding, Hungary offers free IVF coverage, and Boston IVF announces the results of its groundbreaking transgender male fertility research.

TMRW Life Sciences Landed $25 million in a Series B Funding Round

The company has created the world’s first operating system for software-guided embryology and cryo-specimen management. TMRW provides a 100% physical and digital chain of custody, protecting and tracking eggs, embryos, and sperm through RFID-enabled technology. Via FierceHealthcare

Boston IVF Announces Results of Landmark Transgender Male Fertility Research Study

Boston IVF recently announced the results of its transgender fertility clinical study, revealing that trans men who utilize egg freezing for fertility preservation have similarly successful clinical outcomes to those of cisgender patients. The study found that trans men who had begun the transition process via testosterone therapy had similar egg yields as those of cisgender female patients. (Via Boston IVF)

Advocacy group pushing for IVF insurance coverage in Colorado

A group of Colorado women has launched Colorado Fertility Advocates (CFA) to promote insurance coverage for treatment. They are currently working with state legislators on a bill that would cover diagnosis, preservation, and treatment for infertility. (Via Fox Denver)

New Initiative Provides Personalized Fertility Consultation in the Comfort of Your Home

Ferring Pharmaceuticals and CCRM today announced the launch of Fertility House Calls, a Denver-based service schedules a team of a fertility nurse and a financial counselor to visit potential patients at home, or a preferred location, allowing women and couples to explore their reproductive treatment options privately. Via PRNewswire

Israel May Curb IVF for Women Over 41

Health officials in Israel now want to focus on providing IVF treatments to younger women and limit options for women over 41 due to failure rates among older women. Officials are also recommending that the country allow women to freeze their fertilized eggs as part of the publicly funded system. Sources in the healthcare system doubt that the recommendations will be adopted. Via Haaretz

Hungary state-run clinics to give free IVF treatment

Hungarian PM Viktor Orban announced that beginning February 1, fertility treatment at state-run clinics would be provided free of charge to combat demographic decline. IVF treatment in the country will no longer be market-based. These measures are expected to produce 4,000 new births by 2022. Via The Telegraph

UAE’s Gulf Capital to Buy Fertility Clinics in $100m Deal

Gulf Capital is poised to buy three fertility clinics in the Middle East from IVIRMA Global in a deal worth about $100 million, underscoring increased interest in the region’s healthcare sector. The transaction will include about employees at the Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Muscat facilities. Via Arabian Business

Presagen and Life Whisperer Announce Call-out for a Global IVF Clinic Collaboration at CES 2020

Life Whisperer, the fertility vertical of AI healthcare company Presagen, recently presented findings at ASRM, revealing that AI can accurately and non-invasively detect genetic abnormalities in human embryos using only a single embryo image. The company’s flagship product uses AI to analyze microscopic images of embryos to assist clinicians in identifying which embryos will most likely lead to pregnancy. Via PRNewswire