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Fertility Research & Development

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Excellence through research

IVI is a world leader in assisted reproduction research. We have been awarded some of the most prestigious prizes in the profession, both nationally and internationally. Our specialists have published more than 450 articles in scientific journals all over the world.

Our commitment to R&D has seen us develop and patent leading technologies such as the Embryoscope, as well as pioneering some new fertility techniques and treatments in the last 26 years. This includes the introduction of vitrification in Europe. We also offer the most up-to-date techniques and equipment available, which is key to maintaining and indeed improving the IVI Group’s high pregnancy and implantation rates year after year.

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Success based on research

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The first IVI centre opened over 30 years and was the first clinic in Spain dedicated to assisted reproduction. Since then, we have expanded and now have over 70 clinics worldwide. The three pillars of our success are excellence in health care, teaching, and research.

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All our clinics invest a percentage of their income in the IVI Foundation, which manages our research activity. The Foundation aims are to improve the results of current assisted reproduction treatment by developing new techniques and minimising the adverse effects of treatment. 

Our investment in global research has enabled us to improve significantly the techniques we offer and increase success rates in IVI clinics year on year. 

Scientific credibility

Scientific credibility

IVI has a worldwide reputation for innovative research. Our experts have published papers in more than 650 scientific publications all over the world, more than any other private clinic.

Scientific credibility

We have received some of the most prestigious awards in the profession, given by highly respected organisations such as the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the Society for Gynaecological Investigation, and the Jaume I Award in Clinical Medicine.

In 2016, four of our doctors were among the top six researchers in Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Biology in the world, according to h-Index

At the forefront of innovation

Our research has allowed us to offer the option of parenthood to people who would otherwise have been denied it. Some of the key innovations at IVI that have helped our patients are:

  • 1996: The first babies in the world are born from frozen semen obtained from the testicular tissue of their fathers.
  • 1997: The embryo co-culture technique – in vitro cultivation of embryos with maternal cells – is developed, giving better embryo quality and increased pregnancy rates for fertility treatment.
  • 2002: For the first time in Spain, and thanks to preimplantation genetic diagnosis, a healthy baby is born to parents who are carriers of cystic fibrosis.
  • 2003: The first child is born to a couple in which the father has the HIV and the mother does not. The baby girl was born free of the virus after the father’s semen underwent sperm-washing before in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
  • 2005: We introduce egg vitrification in Europe.
  • 2006: For the first time in the world, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is diagnosed in embryos where the parents are carriers of this condition, enabling them to have a healthy pregnancy. 2006 IVI achieves the first pregnancies using vitrification in Europe.
  • 2007: IVI’s andrologists develop a technique for diagnosing male infertility using semen biochips, and the first babies in the world are born using vitrification of both egg and embryo.
  • 2009: IVI Valencia’s Dr Peset is the first doctor in the world to successfully implant ovarian tissue and oocytes.
  • 2012: Research that discovers two new biomarkers involved in embryo implantation is selected for the ASRM scientific award.
  • 2014: IVI develops a new genetic test (the CGT) to avoid the transmission of 600 different genetic diseases.
  • 2015: IVI demonstrates that the molecules secreted in the uterus can modify the genetic information of the future child, even in case of donated eggs or surrogacy.
  • 2016: Birth of the first baby using the new Anevivo device at IVI.
Developing techniques and technology that help people

Developing techniques and technology that help people

Developing techniques and technology that help people

We have developed and patented pioneering techniques and technology. Among the most significant are:

  • Embryoscope: we developed the embryoscope together with Vitrolife. This technology is now used in a large number of clinics worldwide.
  • NACE PLUS test: we developed a non-invasive prenatal test that identifies chromosome irregularities without putting the pregnancy at risk.
  • Genetic Compatibility Test: we pioneered a pre-pregnancy genetic compatibility test that shows whether parents are carriers of one or more genetic mutations.