Spin-out launches fertility test in US
A NEW female fertility test has been launched in America by a Yorkshire-based university spin-out business.
Lifestyle Choices, a spin-out from the University of Sheffield which is part of the Biofusion group, has seen its US partner Repromedix Corp launch the Plan Ahead test into the American market through leading fertility clinics.
Plan Ahead is a blood test that measures a woman's ovarian reserves.
Last October Biofusion signed an agreement with Repromedix to give it exclusive US rights to sell the Plan Ahead test.
Repromedix has launched Plan Ahead in six fertility clinics in US cities including Boston, Atlanta, and Denver and said it expects to make the test available in nine more US cities including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas in the near future.
The suggested cost of the Plan Ahead test is $350.
Commenting on the announcement, David Baynes, chief executive of Biofusion, said: 'We are delighted that the Plan Ahead test has now been launched in the US. This is a significant achievement for Lifestyle Choices and look forward to its success in the US and other territories.”
Dr. Michael M. Alper, Harvard Medical School professor, and the medical director and co-founder of Boston IVF, an internationally renowned fertility treatment
centre, commented: “As more and more women delay pregnancy until their 30s and even their 40s, there is an urgent need for an accurate early assessment of
their fertility.
“Unfortunately, we see far too many women late in the process when time is of the essence.
“The fertility field has been waiting for a test like this, and we are delighted to be the first practice to partner with Repromedix in providing this innovative test to women in the greater Boston area.”
Paul Kowalski, President and VP of sales at Repromedix, said: “A recent survey indicates that over 80% of women between the ages of 25 to 44 believe that the risk of fertility loss begins at age 35, while many experts believe the risk begins much earlier.
“We believe that the Plan Ahead test will provide an important tool for better education and lead to early diagnosis of potential fertility-related issues.”
