Genomic stabilization therapy for enhanced in vitro human embryo fertilization and survival

This technology uses synthetic mRNAs to improve oocyte genome stability for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures, thereby improving the efficiency of IVF treatments.

Unmet Need: Method for reducing genomic instability of IVF human embryos

In vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures offer crucial support for individuals facing fertility challenges, but success rates remain low, with only about 25% of IVFs resulting in a birth. This poses significant financial and emotional burdens for patients. Key factors contributing to IVF failure include genomic instability and mosaicism in fertilized oocytes. While current efforts aim to improve oocyte harvesting techniques to increase IVF success and birth outcomes, there are no available treatments targeting the underlying biological factors affecting embryo viability in IVF.

The Technology: Genome-stabilizing protein factors introduced at fertilization to improve IVF treatment success

This technology uses mRNA-encoding genome-stabilizing proteins to enhance the development of fertilized oocytes. By comparing the gene expression of mouse embryos resilient to replication abnormalities with that of human embryos, key factors contributing to the replication stability in IVF human embryos have been identified. Supplementing the expression of these critical factors using a method compatible with current IVF procedures has the potential to reduce genetic instability and improve the success rate of IVF treatments.

Applications:

• Improving success rates and reducing costs of IVF procedures
• Cell screening and selection for embryo implantation
• Research tool for understanding genetic perturbations of in vitro embryos
• Protection of in vitro embryos from genetic damage
• Genetic assay for embryo survivability
• IVF treatment outcome prediction

Advantages:

• Compatible with current IVF techniques
• Enhances viability of preimplantation embryos
• Low oocyte requirement for successful birth
• Low financial and emotional costs for oocyte harvesting and IVF cycles
• Improves rate of IVF treatment success

Lead Inventor:

Dieter Egli, PhD

Patent Information:

Patent Pending(WO/2023/196677)

Related Publications:

• Palmerola KL, Amrane S, De Los Angeles A, Xu S, Wang N, de Pinho J, Zuccaro MV, Taglialatela A, Massey DJ, Turocy J, Robles A, Subbiah A, Prosser B, Lobo R, Ciccia A, Koren A, Baslan T, Egli D. “Replication stress impairs chromosome segregation and preimplantation development in human embryos.” Cell. 2022 Aug 4; 185(16): 2988-3007

• Yamada M, Egli D. “Genome Transfer Prevents Fragmentation and Restores Developmental Potential of Developmentally Compromised Postovulatory Aged Mouse Oocytes.” Stem Cell Reports. 2017 Mar 14; 8(3): 576-588.

• Kort DH, Chia G, Treff NR, Tanaka AJ, Xing T, Vensand LB, Micucci S, Prosser R, Lobo RA, Sauer MV, Egli D. “Human embryos commonly form abnormal nuclei during development: a mechanism of DNA damage, embryonic aneuploidy, and developmental arrest.” Hum Reprod. 2016 Feb; 31(2): 312-323.

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU18389, CU22259

• Licensing Contact: Kristin Neuman