STOCKHOLM, Sweden, May 26, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- EmbryoGlue(R) is an implantation promoting medium for transfer of embryos back into the woman, with physical properties more similar to the uterine secretion, and will therefore assist the embryo during the implantation process. In a prospective, randomized, clinical trial, the efficacy of EmbryoGlue(R) was evaluated in comparison to a conventional medium. The study showed a statistically significant increase in implantation rate in the EmbryoGlue(R) group, compared to the control group. This increase represents an improvement of treatment efficacy of 34%.
Therefore, by using EmbryoGlue(R), IVF clinics will have a new possibility to improve IVF treatment outcome by increasing the implantation rate, i.e. the chance of an embryo implanting in the uterus and developing into a pregnancy.
"The key ingredient in EmbryoGlue(R) is hyaluronan, which is a natural molecule abundant in the female reproductive tract. Vitrolife uses non- animal, non-human derived hyaluronan in line with its goal of providing innovative, state-of-the-art media products with superior quality, safety and efficacy," said Dr. Peter Svalander, R&D Director.
After IVF treatment, one or two embryos are normally transferred back into the womb (uterus) of the patient in a procedure called embryo transfer. One of the great challenges in IVF treatment is to get the embryo to implant in the uterus, which is a prerequisite for achieving a pregnancy. The risk of not having the embryo implant is creating a high level of anxiety among patients undergoing IVF treatment.
Vitrolife launched the G-III Seriestm - Closer to Nature culture media in 2002, to optimize embryo culture conditions. Although considerable progress has been made in our ability to culture the human embryo, there has been relatively little research on the role and composition of the embryo transfer medium - until now. By developing EmbryoGlue(R) in close collaboration with Dr. David K Gardner and his research team at the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine in the USA, Vitrolife has taken one step further, by looking closer at the role of the transfer medium.
"I am very happy that we now have this tool available," said Professor Lars Hamberger, Sahlgrenska University Hospital Gothenburg and board member of Vitrolife. "We can now give the patients a better chance of having their often long awaited child, and it also gives us a good possibility to reduce the risks of multiple pregnancies."
Vitrolife's CEO, Dr. Magnus Nilsson, is very enthusiastic about EmbryoGlue(R). -Globally there are approximately 500 000 IVF treatments performed every year, and we plan to have EmbryoGlue(R) clinically available in the beginning of June. With this highly innovative product we now have a great possibility to redefine the IVF market to the benefit of both patients and clinics.
Vitrolife AB (publ) For further information, please contact: Acting CEO: Dr. Magnus Nilsson Marketing Director: Christer de Flon Tel: +46 31 721 80 00 Tel: +46 31 721 80 00 Mobile +46 708 22 80 61 Mobile: +46 708 22 80 25 mnilsson@vitrolife.com cdeflon@vitrolife.com
Vitrolife is a global biomedical corporation that works with products for cell and tissue technology. The Vitrolife group consists of the parent company, Vitrolife AB (Publ) and four wholly owned subsidiaries: Vitrolife Sweden AB (Gothenburg, Sweden), Vitrolife Inc. (Denver, Colorado), A-Life Ltd. (Edinburgh, Scotland), and A-Life Inc. (Newport Beach, California). The group's operations focused on three geographic areas.
-- Europe/Middle East -- North America -- Rest of the World
Vitrolife's business concept is to develop, produce and sell advanced products and systems for the preparation, cultivation, preservation and support of cells, tissues and organs.
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