First Baby Born With Help from OvaScience’s Augment Fertility Treatment

One of the first patients to be treated with Cambridge, Mass.-based OvaScience’s Augment fertility treatment has given birth to the first “Augment baby” in Toronto, Canada.

“Before my husband and I learned about the Augment treatment, we struggled with infertility due to my egg quality and felt somewhat discouraged,” said the mother. “Now we are optimistic that our experience will show couples, especially those who suffer from poor egg health, that they have a new option to have their own biological child.”

Egg health is a key factor in female fertility. While many factors contribute to egg health, having adequate levels of energy-producing mitochondria inside of the egg is essential for healthy fertilization and embryo development. The Augment treatment is designed to improve the health of a woman’s existing eggs, and enhance the IVF procedure. The Augment treatment uses the energy-producing mitochondria from a woman’s own egg precursor (EggPC) cells – immature egg cells found in the protective lining of her ovaries – to supplement the existing mitochondria in her eggs. The Augment treatment is not available in the United States.

“You expect to see compromised egg health as women age, but many younger women also have poor egg health for various reasons. I was surprised to discover that the mother’s eggs and embryo quality were so poor, despite her 34 years of age,” said Marjorie E. Dixon, M.D.C.M., F.R.C.S.(C), medical director at First Steps Fertility, assistant professor of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the University of Toronto, and the patient’s reproductive endocrinologist. “Based on my assessment of significantly diminished embryo quality in a failed IVF cycle and several other factors contributing to her infertility, she had few options. When I learned about the Augment treatment, I was excited to offer this couple a new opportunity to have their own biological child.”

“We were the first clinic to offer the Augment treatment in Canada, and I have seen firsthand the positive impact it has on pregnancy rates, particularly in women with poor prognoses,” said Robert F. Casper, M.D., F.R.C.S.(C), senior investigator, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, and medical director of TCART Fertility Partners, where this Augment treatment procedure took place. “The success of IVF depends on many factors; however, most fertility experts agree that egg and embryo quality are key prognostic indicators. The Augment treatment was developed to address egg and embryo quality, and we are pleased to continue providing the Augment treatment to women who are seeking new options.”

One in six couples worldwide has trouble getting pregnant naturally. IVF is the standard infertility treatment, but it often fails. Many physicians believe that poor egg health accounts for the majority of female-related infertility.

“Our mission at OvaScience is to bring new fertility treatment options to women with the goal of helping them build their families,” said Michelle Dipp, M.D., Ph.D., CEO of OvaScience. “We look forward to bringing the Augment treatment to more women around the world as well as future treatment options from our egg precursor cell technology.”