Fertility startup ‘revitalizes’ human eggs to increase the likelihood of conception.

      German biotechnology startup Ovo Labs has created new technologies aimed at "rejuvenating" human eggs during in vitro fertilization (IVF), which could enhance the likelihood of conception.

      The first IVF baby was born over 40 years ago, and since then, this technology has assisted millions of women in achieving pregnancy. However, undergoing IVF can impose significant emotional, psychological, and financial burdens on patients, and initial attempts often do not succeed. Many couples find themselves trying repeatedly without success, leaving some unable to have children altogether.

      Ovo Labs aims to improve these odds. Drawing on 20 years of fertility research, the startup has developed three therapeutic treatments designed to minimize genetic errors in eggs. Through this approach, the company seeks to "dramatically" increase the number of women who can conceive in a single IVF attempt.

      “By increasing the number of viable eggs, we aim to extend the reproductive window, enabling more couples to have children when they feel it is right for them,” stated co-founder Professor Melina Schuh. Schuh is a leading fertility expert at the Max Planck Institute in Munich. She co-founded Ovo Labs in January with her former colleague Dr. Agata Zielinska, a Polish-British fertility scientist, and German biotech expert Dr. Oleksandr Yagensky.

      Ovo Labs has already demonstrated its ability to enhance the quality of eggs in older mice, and it has successfully treated isolated human eggs. However, its technology has not yet received approval for human trials.

      If the treatment gains approval, Ovo Labs hopes it will become a standard part of IVF practice. Achieving this will require time, as the regulatory approval process for new medical treatments is notoriously slow, as well as financial resources.

      To support this goal, Ovo Labs announced today that it has secured €4.6 million in its first round of external funding. The round was led by Creator Fund and Local Globe, with investments from Blue Wire Capital, Ahren Innovation Capital, and angel investor Antonio Pellicer.

      “It is inspiring to see European scientists of this caliber launch a company addressing such a fundamental issue for humanity,” remarked Jamie Macfarlane, founder of the UK-based Creator Fund.

      Schuh and Zielinska spent years researching egg quality at Bourn Hall Clinic, the world's first IVF center (recently featured in the Netflix movie Joy). Their research provided insights into why egg quality declines with age and explored potential therapies.

      According to data from the London Egg Bank, by the time a woman reaches 40, over 70% of her eggs have genetic abnormalities, significantly hindering her chances of conception. By reducing these genetic errors, Ovo Labs hopes to enhance the likelihood of successful pregnancies and potentially improve the prospects for couples looking to start or expand their families.