Data Confirms Eeva™ Test Fertility Technology Can Improve Embryo Assessment for IVF When Used in Combination With Morphology[1],[2]

News provided by

Merck Serono

04 Nov, 2015, 07:00 GMT

LONDON, November 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Intended for UK based media

Data for the Early Embryo Viability Assessment (Eeva™) Test demonstrate that transfer of embryos at Day 3 resulted in comparable clinical outcomes to blastocyst stage (Day 5 of development after fertilisation) transfer when the Eeva™ Test is used in combination with review of embryo shape and structure (morphology) to improve embryo assessment.[1] This provides a viable option for IVF centres, with limited resources to perform blastocyst culture, to improve their success. For patients with a higher risk of cycle cancellation, using the Eeva Test may result in a better outcome.[1] It may be advantageous to identify and transfer the most viable embryos at Day 3 as the environment of the uterus may benefit their development.[3]

Further data go on to demonstrate that at Day 5, single embryo transfer (SET) pregnancy rates may be improved when embryos are assessed using the Eeva™ Test combined with morphology, compared to Day 5 SET patients where embryo assessment is done using just morphology alone.[2]

These data were presented at the Annual Meeting of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) in Lisbon, Portugal, 14-17 June 2015.

Hannah Newby, study author and Senior Clinical Embryologist at the Hewitt Fertility Centre, Liverpool Women's Hospital, said "Improved implantation rate prediction at Day 3 is very useful when practicing single embryo transfer to reduce the potential for multiple pregnancies - and the risks for both women and foetuses that are associated with this." Hannah goes on to add "The Eeva™ Test also provides a viable option for fertility clinics with limited resources to improve implantation rates, which ultimately helps to provide more options for success to women undergoing IVF."

Embryo screening has long been a routine procedure in IVF treatment. The Eeva™ Test is designed to improve IVF outcomes by helping to identify viable embryos for implantation. Clinicians practicing single instead of multiple embryo transfer, which has an increased risk of multiple pregnancy and therefore preterm delivery, low birth weight and other long-term health issues, can benefit from more information on which embryos are most likely to be viable.[4] The Eeva™ Test is the first and only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared test designed to improve the assessment of embryos that will likely grow to reach blastocyst stage.[5]

Dr Marco Gaudoin, study author and Medical Director of the Glasgow Centre for Reproductive Medicine, said "The recent data not only show that the Eeva™ Test results in an increased clinical pregnancy rate, but also that applying the procedure more broadly may help clinicians who are practicing single embryo transfer in aiming to reduce multiple pregnancies.  Multiple pregnancies are associated with a higher risk of adverse outcomes both in the lead up to, and after, birth."

Infertility is the inability to conceive after 12 months of trying without the use of contraceptives, or the inability to carry a pregnancy to full-term.[6] Estimated to affect one in seven heterosexual couples in the UK,[7] there is a strong argument for designating infertility as a public health issue. It can be difficult to prevent, diagnose, and treat, significantly impacting the lives of the people that it affects.[8]

In June this year, Merck announced the launch of the next generation of the Eeva™ Test, the Eeva™ Test 2.3.[9] The Eeva™ Test 2.3 utilises a multi-dimensional algorithm, designed to offer more assessment options to help better distinguish embryos with higher developmental potential when used adjunctively with traditional morphology.[9] This helps capture a more complete picture of embryo development, addressing the demand for more objectivity and standardisation within assisted reproductive treatment.[9]

Notes to editors 

About infertility 

  • It is estimated to affect one in seven heterosexual couples in the UK[7]
  • Infertility is the inability to conceive after 12 months of trying without the use of contraceptives, or the inability to carry a pregnancy to full-term[6]
  • There is a strong argument for designating infertility as a public health issue.[8] It can be difficult to prevent, diagnose, and treat, significantly impacting the lives of the people that it affects[8]

About the Eeva™ Test

The non-invasive Early Embryo Viability Assessment (Eeva™) Test when used adjunctively with traditional morphology may improve IVF outcomes by providing IVF clinicians and patients with objective information on embryo viability. The Eeva™ System utilises proprietary software that automatically analyses embryo development against scientifically and clinically validated parameters. With Eeva's quantitative data on each embryo's potential development, IVF clinicians can optimize the treatment path for their patients undergoing IVF procedures.

The Eeva™ Test is available in the UK and Ireland.

About Merck Serono 

We are Merck, a pioneering company that advances technologies for life. Across healthcare, life science and performance materials, we bring specialist and high quality products to the world.

Brilliant ideas are born at Merck. They can be life-changing, influencing how we tackle major illness, or integral to the objects we rely on. From cancer therapies and laboratory tools, to the screen on your Smartphone or the color of your car - Merck ideas are everywhere.

Our door is always open to collaboration. Long-term partnerships enable us to build business success with our customers and partners around the world. In 2014, we generated total revenues of €11.5 billion.

Set up in Darmstadt, Germany in 1668, we are the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. Over 350 years, we have grown to 39,000 people across 66 countries worldwide. The founding family remains the majority owner of the company.

We are known globally as Merck except for in the USA and Canada where we operate as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma* and EMD Performance Materials.

For more information, please visit http://www.merckserono.co.uk.

* Subject to and effective upon closing of the Sigma-Aldrich transaction.

SOURCE Merck Serono.

References 

  1. Gaudoin M. et al. Day 3 transfer using the automated time-lapse enable Eeva Test results in similar clinical pregnancy and implantation rates to blastocyst transfer: a longitudinal cohort study. Poster presentation at 31st Annual Meeting of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) (P-232)
  2. Newby H. et al. An increased trend in pregnancy rate following Day 5 transfer of single embryos selected using Eeva Test compared with embryos selected using morphology alone. Poster presentation at 31st Annual Meeting of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) (P-250)
  3. Coskun S. et al. Day 5 versus day 3 embryo transfer: a controlled randomized trial. Human Reproduction 2007;15:1947-52
  4. Conaghan J. et al. Improving embryo selection using a computer-automated time-lapse image analysis test plus day 3 morphology: results from a prospective multicenter trial. Fertility and Sterility. Vol. 100, No. 2, August 2013
  5. The Eeva™ Test, https://www.eevatest.com/eeva-test . Last accessed November 2015
  6. WHO. Infertility definitions and terminology, http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/infertility/definitions/en/ . Last accessed November 2015
  7. Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority. Fertility treatment in 2013, trends and figures. Available at: http://www.hfea.gov.uk/docs/HFEA_Fertility_Trends_and_Figures_2013.pdf . Last accessed November 2015
  8. McDonald E. A Global perspective on infertility: an under recognized public health issue. Department of Public Health. Carolina Papers (2004)
  9. Merck Serono news release, http://news.merck.de/N/0/6E9FDDCCB35598E9C1257E7400295C03/$File/Eeva2_3_EN.pdf . Last accessed November 2015

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