A Liverpool city region start-up tech business that is helping to tackle infertility secures investment of almost £500,000 and creates 12 new jobs. Tony McDonough reports
A technology start-up that says it can achieve higher success rates for couples going through IVF treatment has secured investment of £496,000.
Myma Medical introduces automated technology into the IVF process. IVF involves taking sperm and inserting it into the egg using a manual injection. This has only a 30% success rate and is subject to human error.
However, Myma claims that by using its automated technology it can significantly increase the success rate. Infertility affects an estimated 3.5m in the UK and 186m worldwide. So the market for the technology could be big.
Based at Sci-Tech Daresbury, Myma has now secured a £390,000 Innovate UK SMART grant. In addition it has also secured £106,000 from LYVA Labs, a £10.7m fund set up by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to support entrepreneurs and businesses at the ‘ideas stage’ of their venture.
It helps them access funding and resources to progress from an idea to a functioning product or service. Its mission is to be a partner for healthcare innovators which would otherwise struggle to access the support, expertise, and resources they need.
Myma’s automation process will also aim to eliminate the need for multiple procedures. These are often needed due to the low success rate, which comes at the cost of £10,000 to £20,000 per IVF cycle.
Formed in 2020, Myma Medical is a spin-out organisation from nine years of research in the automation of egg and sperm manipulation and injection at the University of Birmingham, Department of Mechanical Engineering.
The research has been led by Dr Mozafar Saadat, associate professor and his colleague Dr Amir Hajiyavand, assistant professor at the university.
Dr Saadat is director and chief technology officer of the company and Dr Hajiyavand is director and chief operating Officer. Chief executive of the company is Yash Khandhia. He has more than 30 years of experience in robotics and automation.
Mr Khandhia said: “We are excited to bring this innovative, game-changing technology to the fertility market to enhance the outcome of the treatments while saving money for the couples and improving their physiological and physical conditions.
“This technology is built through a great team effort over nearly a decade of fundamental and translational research.”
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Several PhD students have worked under stewardship of Dr Saadat in automated egg and sperm selection, manipulation, and injection in intracytoplasmic sperm injection, a popular male infertility treatment.
Lorna Green, chief executive of LYVA Labs, added: “Myma Medical is a brilliant, innovative start-up with a model to significantly enhance the experiences of people struggling with their fertility.
“So many of us are touched by fertility issues in our lives, either personally or through our communities so I am incredibly proud to bring a business like this to our ever-evolving region.”