On February 8th, 2020, our Business Development Manager, Eric Kendall was in Weston, FL for an event hosted by FIRST IVF.

FIRST IVF, or Florida Institute for Reproductive Sciences and Technologies was founded in 1985, and is a fertility clinic based in Weston, FL.

On February 26th, Igenomix hosted a dinner in Dunwoody, GA, and invited clinics including CNY Fertility, Shady Grove Fertility, Reproductive Biology Associates and Emory Reproductive Center. During the dinner, our Medical Science Director, Juliana Cuzzi presented on Embryo Analysis in Culture Environment and received great response.

On February 28th, Igenomix was at the 2020 Annual ISGP Medical Genomics Symposium in Chicago, IL. The symposium was hosted by the Illinois Society of Genetic Professionals, which focuses on the development and delivery of genetic services, research and education in the State of Illinois.Through the conference, the Igenomix team learnt about advances in the industry and ways to best serve our patients!

That’s it for this month. We would like to thank everyone who visited us at these events, and we look forward to seeing you at our next one!

La entrada February, 2020- Conferences & Events se publicó primero en IGENOMIX - With science on your side.

Igenomix launched today their FDA-EUA approved COVID-19 RT-PCR Test in an effort to combat the impact of the current pandemic. This test, already available, combined with a COVID-19 Antibody Test, will make up My COVID Status, a service that will allow for organizations to plan for a safe return to the workplace.

The SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR (Real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) Test is a diagnostic test designed to confirm if an individual is currently infected. It is able to detect the virus even in the early stages of the infection, when the viral load is lowest and differentiate it from other similar viruses, due to its sensitivity and specificity, respectively.  This test has been designed to detect the pathogen itself by detecting its RNA and it is especially valuable in the initial stages of an infection when the aim is to prevent infectivity when antibodies have not yet been built.

Samples are to be collected by health specialists using nasopharyngeal swabs and processed in Igenomix labs under the FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). All Igenomix labs are certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA), 42 U.S.C. § 263a, to carry out highly complex tests.

Igenomix offers its COVID-19 RT-PCR test with no out-of-pocket cost to insured patients and is ready to process up to 1500 samples per day with results available in 48-72 hours.

My COVID Status

My COVID Status is comprised of two tests, a COVID-19 RT-PCR Test and a serology antibody test, which aims to cover both patients who are currently infected and those who have been exposed and developed immunity.

The serology test examines the presence of antibodies, therefore identifying individuals who have previously been exposed to the virus and acquired natural immunity against it. The international network of Igenomix laboratories is currently directing its efforts towards accelerating the development of this test.

With these test services, the population can be screened and identified as infected, at risk, or immune, which provides a biological map for companies to ensure a safe work environment. People with negative COVID-19 RT-PCR Test and positive COVID-19 Antibody Test would be ready for a safe transition back to normal life.

“Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, our way of life has changed as we know it. Today, we believe our duty is to break one more barrier, the barrier that prevents us from returning to our normal lives. We hope that by applying our know-how in genetics to COVID-19 testing, we can help fight against this pandemic,” said Carlos Simon, Head of the Scientific Advisory Board of Igenomix.

Igenomix Foundation Webinar Series

In addition to testing, the Igenomix Foundation, a non-profit institution that promotes both basic and applied research in the field of reproductive medicine, is hosting a series of webinars. This series will provide valuable information and insight into the current pandemic crisis related to the reproductive field. The Igenomix Foundation is also preparing a research project to find answers related to the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and IVF.

La entrada Igenomix launches COVID-19 RT-PCR Test se publicó primero en IGENOMIX - With science on your side.

Igenomix is closely monitoring news and reports from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and local government authorities regarding the new coronavirus disease: COVID-19.  We are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the timeliness and quality of the tests and services we offer.

The health and safety of our employees, as well as the integrity of test samples, are of utmost importance. At this time, we are experiencing minimal delays in test results. However, as the situation is rapidly evolving, it is difficult to predict how the COVID-19 outbreak could affect our employees and workflows.

Samples are received from the clinic without air exposure. Upon receipt, samples are processed and maintained under CLIA Regulations and State Guidelines. We also understand that there may be concerns surrounding the shipment of samples due to travel bans recently implemented for containment of COVID-19. We are not aware of any issues regarding shipping samples at this time, however, our ability to ship samples depends on the protocols of our couriers, who also adhere to guidelines from government authorities.

We appreciate your cooperation and collaboration.

La entrada Coronavirus Update se publicó primero en IGENOMIX - With science on your side.

Igenomix was at the 2020 Annual ISGP Medical Genomics Symposium in Chicago, IL last week. We would like to thank everyone who stopped by our booth!

The symposium was hosted by the Illinois Society of Genetic Professionals, which focuses on the development and delivery of genetic services, research and education in the State of Illinois.

Through the conference, the Igenomix team learnt about advances in the industry and ways to best serve our patients.

La entrada The 2020 Annual ISGP Medical Genomics Symposium se publicó primero en IGENOMIX - With science on your side.

La entrada Join Us at ASRM 2019 se publicó primero en IGENOMIX - With science on your side.

Our Scientific Advisors Mae Hoover and Christine Yeh was in Ottawa last week for the Canadian Fertility & Andrology Society (CFAS) 2019 Annual Meeting! We would like to thank every who stopped by our booth!

“CFAS is a multidisciplinary national non-profit society that serves as the voice of reproductive specialists, and allied health professionals working in the field of Assisted Reproduction in Canada. Through its 800 multidisciplinary membership, the CFAS aims to promote excellence in the field of Assisted Reproduction to the benefit of Canadians and children born of this technology.”

La entrada Igenomix at CFAS 2019 se publicó primero en IGENOMIX - With science on your side.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC – ABC NEWS

“A new way to tailor fertility treatments to the mother’s own DNA”

IGENOMIX’s ERA test has been featured in National Geographic Magazine’s January 2019 issue: “The future of medicine”, which covers how personalized medicine is transforming healthcare.

The story of a Chicago couple who previously suffered two miscarriages and recently welcomed a healthy baby boy thanks to IGENOMIX’s ERA test, has also been covered by ABC news:

IGENOMIX’s ERA test establishes the best day for transferring the embryo, by using just a small sample of endometrial tissue. The ERA test will determine if the endometrium is receptive or not at the time of sampling, by analyzing 248 genes involved in endometrial receptivity.

ERA testing can find a woman’s personalized WOI (window of implantation) in case of displacement and will allow for a personalized embryo transfer (pET).

Find more information about IGENOMIX’s ERA test (Endometrial Receptivity Analysis) here

La entrada IGENOMIX’s ERA test in the media – National Geographic and ABC News se publicó primero en IGENOMIX - With science on your side.

From the 34th Congress of the EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF HUMAN REPRODUCTION AND EMBRYOLOGY (ESHRE)

IGENOMIX PRESENTS A STUDY THAT OPENS THE DOOR TO NON-INVASIVE ANALYSIS OF THE EMBRYO

• The DNA released by the embryo into the culture media contains a complete picture of its chromosomal content
• Non-invasive diagnosis of the embryo, known as non-invasive Pre-implantation Genetic Screening (NI-PGS), means that embryo biopsy can be avoided, while still providing the same level of clinical information

As a result of this new technique, the costs and potential risks associated with embryo biopsy can be reduced, enabling more couples undergoing IVF treatment to have access to this analysis

Barcelona, 4 July 2018 – Igenomix has presented, at the 34th Congress of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) in Barcelona, a study entitled Improved concordance rates for aneuploidy detection in spent culture media compared to trophectoderm biopsies: a step forward towards non-invasive pre-implantation genetic testing. This study tests the effectiveness of non-invasive diagnosis of the human embryo and opens the door to this type of analysis, which should lead to improved results in assisted reproduction treatment.

Historically, chromosomal analysis of the embryo has been carried out using embryo biopsy. PGS has resulted in improved implantation rates in the first cycle and reduced miscarriage rates. It has also shortened the time to pregnancy for infertile couples.

For several years, researchers have worked towards non-invasive diagnosis of the embryo, in order to avoid embryo biopsy with the additional risks and costs involved.

A previous paper by Igenomix, titled Origin and composition of cell-free DNA in spent medium from human embryo culture during pre-implantation development, in the journal Human Reproduction, found that DNA released by the embryo into the culture media contains a chromosomal representation of that embryo. Subsequently, the group refined the techniques to improve the results from the pilot study, with the goal being clinical application of a non-invasive chromosomal diagnosis of the embryo.

“In our current study, performed on more than 100 samples of culture media from patients with advanced maternal age, recurrent miscarriages or repeated implantation failure, we observed approximately 85% concordance compared to conventional PGS techniques. Therefore, we are very close to achieving a significant milestone in the history of assisted reproduction, which would mean the end of embryo biopsy as a means of obtaining genetic information from the embryo”, explained Dr. Carmen Rubio, first author of this paper.

One more step towards personalized medicine

“We need to continue this line of research to fully test the effectiveness of non-invasive PGS, as this represents a significant development in personalized assisted reproduction”, the researcher added. “A diagnosis based on the culture media of the embryo, during the time when it develops in the IVF laboratory, could lead to simplification of its genetic analysis so that a greater number of patients can benefit from this type of study”, added Rubio.

According to experts, non-invasive diagnosis of the embryo could lead to a 10% improvement in IVF treatment success rates. Aneuploidies are responsible for a large proportion of negative pregnancy tests and up to 50% of miscarriages. “Use of this technique would improve the chances of achieving pregnancy and, ultimately, of having a healthy baby, which is the fundamental goal of assisted reproduction”, she concluded.

La entrada IGENOMIX PRESENTS A STUDY THAT OPENS THE DOOR TO NON-INVASIVE ANALYSIS OF THE EMBRYO se publicó primero en IGENOMIX - With science on your side.

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article called “IVF Testing Spurs a Debate Over Mosaic Embryos” with the opinion of different specialists in the IVF field.

In words of Prof. Simón, our CSO, “Igenomix, tests embryos for about 200 U.S. clinics. Roughly 80% of those clinics classify embryos as either normal or abnormal and don’t want to know if one tests mosaic”. 

Access the full article here.

La entrada Prof. Simon joins the debate about mosaicism in The Wall Street Journal se publicó primero en IGENOMIX - With science on your side.

Texas Fertility Center presents an independent study supporting the ERA® test as a method to improve pregnancy rates at the recent American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) meeting in San Antonio, Texas

Researchers from Texas Fertility Center, a clinic specialized in providing advanced infertility and reproductive endocrinology services, presented a total of 5 studies at ASRM 2017 in San Antonio, TX, about different topics ranging from endometrial receptivity to embryo culture, all linked by the main topic of assisted reproductive technology (ART).

One of these studies was focused on the use of the ERA® test, a diagnostic test designed, developed and patented by IGENOMIX in 2009 (PCT/ES2009/000386).  The ERA® test helps to evaluate a woman’s endometrial receptivity through genetic analysis of a biopsy of the endometrial lining identifying a patient’s unique “window of implantation” (WOI) leading to a personalized embryo transfer (pET).

Researchers followed 85 women between the ages of 27 and 51 who underwent medicated frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles. The goal was to assess ERA® test as a predictor of pregnancy in FET cycles. The results of the study showed that women who underwent this test were significantly more likely to have a receptive endometrium, according to ERA® testing, on the seventh day of progesterone – rather than on the sixth day as previously thought. Additionally, women who underwent a transfer on the seventh day of progesterone in medicated FET cycles had higher pregnancy rates.

Click here to see the poster.

About Texas Fertility Center (TFC)

Texas Fertility Center (TFC) has been recognized in the USA for outstanding pregnancy rates, leading-edge laboratory procedures and innovative research programs as a provider of advanced infertility and reproductive endocrinology services.

About Igenomix

IGENOMIX is a biotechnology company that provides advanced services in genetic reproduction.  It has a wealth of experience and advanced research capabilities that has made this company one of the world leaders in its field, enabling it to provide effective solutions tailored to different infertility problems.  The company has a presence in Miami, Los Angeles and New York, and 11 more labs in the rest of the world.

La entrada Independent study supporting the ERA® test as a method to improve pregnancy rates presented at (ASRM) se publicó primero en IGENOMIX - With science on your side.