Fertility
With our broad portfolio of treatment options, devices and advanced fertility technologies, we aim to contribute to improved treatment outcomes that help couples fulfill the dream of parenthood.
Innovating to help realize the dream of parenthood
Infertility affects millions of couples worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines it as the failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of trying to conceive without using contraceptives [1]. For women over 35, a couple should see a doctor after trying to conceive for six months [2]. Many different factors influence a couple’s ability to conceive, including natural, biological processes in both the male and female body. But lifestyle factors – such as a high body mass index, stress, smoking, caffeine and alcohol intake as well as exposure to environmental pollutants – also play a part [3].
We are world market leader in fertility treatments and the only company to offer recombinant versions of the three natural hormones needed to treat infertility as well as a complete and clinically proven portfolio of fertility treatment at every stage of the reproductive cycle. In this way, we want to help couples to realize their dream of having a baby. Building on our fertility expertise that goes back to 1906 we continuously generated fertility innovation. 20 years ago, we were able to bring to market the world’s first recombinant human product to treat infertility. And our dedication to research and development has never stopped. The treatment journey is challenging for patients, and we aim to make this journey as easy as possible for them.
We drive innovation, and continuous scientific progress is the basis to improve ART outcomes for patients. In that sense, the Medical Innovation Program (MIP), an initiative driven by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is a program directed at scientists around the globe supporting early-stage innovation in the field of human reproduction. The goal of MIP is to translate biomedical science into clinical applications for the benefit of patients by providing funding and support throughout the translation process.
Today, the fertility market is changing fast, and the importance of technologies become more and more evident. In 2014, we entered the field of fertility technologies. We want to support couples on their fertility journey in every way we can. As the steps taken in the laboratory play a critical role in increasing treatment success rates, innovative technologies can make a real difference. With our engagement in supporting innovation in technologies, we aim to improve standardization, automation and excellence in assisted reproductive treatment (ART).
Together with Genea Fertility, an Australian company being active worldwide, we have opened the First Centre of Excellence for Fertility, a state-of-the-art training facility to support ART professionals with a range of ongoing educational opportunities.
For healthcare professionals: Please find further information on our treatments, devices and technologies on our website www.fertility.com.
[1] Zegers-Hochschild, F. et al., The International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technology (ICMART) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Revised Glossary on ART Terminology, 2009. Hum Reprod 2009 24 (11):2683-2687
[2] American Society for Reproductive Medicine. 2012. Age and Fertility – A guide for patients. Available from: https://www.reproductivefacts.org/globalassets/rf/news-and-publications/bookletsfact-sheets/english-fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/AgeandFertility.pdf. Last access February 2016.
[3] NICE. Fertility problems: assessment and treatment. Clinical guideline. Published: 20 February 2013. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg156/resources/fertility-problems-assessment-and-treatment-35109634660549
Fertility Ambition
We reimagine the future of fertility. Encouraging conversations and tackling stigma when starting a family. Our responsibility is to ensure everyone has the chance to become parents, including our employees.
Collaboration for innovation
The Global Fertility Alliance (GFA)
In our quest to improve fertility treatment outcomes for couples, we have joined forces with other leading companies in the fertility field. This includes the Australian fertility technology pioneer Genea Biomedx, Illumina from San Diego, US, that develops systems for analysis of genetic variation and function, ZEISS, Oberkochen, Germany, an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the optics and optoelectronics industries, and Hamilton Thorne Ltd., Beverly, Massachusetts, US, a leading provider of precision laser devices and advanced image analysis systems for ART, regenerative medicine and developmental biology research markets. Through this collaboration, called the Global Fertility Alliance (GFA), we aim to improve the consistency in ART laboratories worldwide. The focus lies on a three-pronged approach to promoting standardization: integrating multiple leading fertility technologies, helping develop global standards, and evolving educational resources for healthcare professionals worldwide.
The ARTinnovations development hub
A collaboration between our company and Genea Biomedx, ARTinnovations is an incubator for ideas and innovations in fertility treatment. It aims to develop an innovative pipeline of technologies and services that will give healthcare professionals the objective information they need to make important treatment decisions. For example, ARTinnovations was the driving force behind the Geri™+ benchtop incubator, which gives embryologists access to embryo analytics. It also developed the Gidget™ witnessing and tracking system that reduces error potential and supports laboratory workflows.
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