The biotech company Gameto has initiated the preclinical development of Fertilo, an egg freezing and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) programme in Spain and the United States, with the aim of engineering a shorter, safer and more effective treatment. The biological product, created in secret in a Harvard Medical School lab, activates egg maturation through ovarian support cells designed to facilitate a lower hormone load during the process.

Gameto has established its European office in Madrid and describes Spain as the largest market for assisted reproductive technology on the continent. This is why it has chosen two Madrid centres specialising in this area, the Tambre clinic and the Ruber Internacional hospital, to start the preclinical development of Fertilo. The announcement coincides with the US company raising 17 million dollars in an investment round, bringing its fundraising revenue to $40 million.

Natural and safe
In addition to shortening the process, the development of Fertilo aims to make eggs available to patients in a more natural way and without the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. It therefore reduces the number of hormone injections and improves their effectiveness. The drugs currently used for egg maturation are hormone-based, as well as being more expensive, and may have side effects.

Cell engineering is the method Gameto uses to develop therapies for diseases affecting the female reproductive system. Fertilo is the first of three programmes in its portfolio. Next up will be Deovo, an organoid of the female reproductive system, and Ameno, a cell-based therapy to improve the health consequences of primary ovarian insufficiency and menopause.

Primary ovarian insufficiency
Gameto's CEO, Dr Dina Radenkovic, explained, “Infertility is one of the first manifestations of primary ovarian insufficiency. I am incredibly excited that Gameto's technology can enable much cheaper, safer, faster and more effective egg freezing and IVF. Our Fertilo programme could help empower women to have families at our own pace, when and how we want.”

Insight Partners is one of the investors that participated in Gameto's latest financing round. Its Managing Director, Dylan Morris, emphasised that the company “is developing novel fertility treatments and women's health solutions, leveraging its patented technology to create a strong line of compelling products”, and adding, “We are excited to partner with the Gameto team as they translate their transformative developments into therapies that will ultimately improve human life.”

^{Photo: Gameto}