Collaboration agreement within IUI, Intra-Uterine Insemination
Vitrolife is entering into a collaboration agreement with ParentPlus LLC, with the aim of developing new products for IUI (Intra-Uterine Insemination, artificial insemination).
In many countries IUI treatment is a requirement before IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) treatment can begin. It is estimated that there is a market for between 4-6 million treatments a year, with a market value of SEK 1-2 billion. IUI, “artificial insemination”, is a process where the sperm are prepared by separating them from the seminal fluid and then injecting them so that a high concentration of active and mobile sperm are introduced directly through the cervix into the uterus and the fallopian tubes, where fertilization of the egg takes place. The method is simple and cost-effective and more or less doubles the chances of getting pregnant compared with intercourse during the estimated ovulation period, but it has limitations concerning which groups the treatment works for.
“The reason that we are now choosing to try to develop products for this part of the infertility market, which Vitrolife has previously not actively processed, is that we see opportunities to be able to increase the value of IUI within assisted fertilization through more effective treatment. The very number of treatments in itself constitutes a great business opportunity,” says Tony Winslöf, Director of Business Development at Vitrolife.
“If we can develop IUI treatment in the same way as we have contributed to development within IVF, Vitrolife will have a unique position with regard to effect and quality within fertility treatment,” says Magnus Nilsson, CEO at Vitrolife.
Gothenburg, November 11, 2011
VITROLIFE AB (publ)
Magnus Nilsson
CEO
Queries should be addressed to:
Magnus Nilsson, CEO, phone +46 31 721 80 61
Mikael Engblom, CFO, phone +46 31 721 80 14
Vitrolife is a global biotechnology/medical device Group that works with developing, manufacturing and selling advanced products and systems for the preparation, cultivation and storage of human cells, tissue and organs. The company has business activities within three product areas: Fertility, Transplantation and Stem Cell Cultivation. The Fertility product area works with nutrient solutions (media), cryopreservation products and advanced consumable instruments such as needles and pipettes, for the treatment of human infertility. The Transplantation product area works with solutions and systems to evaluate and maintain organs outside the body in order to select usable organs and keep them in optimal condition while waiting for transplantation. The Stem Cell Cultivation product area works with media and instruments to enable the use and handling of stem cells for therapeutic purposes.
Vitrolife today has approximately 220 employees and its products are sold in approximately 90 markets. The company is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, and there are subsidiaries in USA, Australia, France, Italy, United Kingdom and Japan. Production facilities are located in Sweden and the USA. The Vitrolife share is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm, Small Cap.
Vitrolife AB (publ), Box 9080, SE-400 92 Göteborg, Sweden. Corporate identity number 556354-3452.
Tel: +46 31 721 80 00. Fax: +46 31 721 80 90. E-mail: info@vitrolife.com. Website: www.vitrolife.com.
Vitrolife is required to publish the information in this press release in accordance with the Swedish Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication on November 11, at 8:30 a.m.This is a translation of the Swedish version of the press release. When in doubt, the Swedish wording prevails.
