Center Genetico (Genetics and Reproductive Medicine Center, MOEX: GECO) published an analytical review of the market for genetic testing of embryos for chromosomal abnormalities (PGT).
Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) means testing of embryos for chromosomal abnormalities during IVF before the embryo is transferred into the uterus. According to international research, the use of PGT increases the pregnancy rate from 31.92% (IVF without PGT) to 74% in the case of IVF with PGT. This is due to the fact that the physician does not transfer embryos that will not develop into a normal pregnancy. With PGT, the patient gets pregnant after 1 or 2 IVF cycles instead of 3 or 4.
In 2012, Genetico Center began implementing Embryotest (PGT) in medical practice. Now every 12th IVF cycle in Russia is done with PGT. This has made a big difference in the quality of care and the effectiveness of infertility treatment for those who use this screening.
In Russia, IVF is included in compulsory medical insurance, while PGT is paid for by the end consumer and is not covered by the government.
According to Genetico’ founder Artur Isaev: “Technologies like Embryotest should be included in clinical guidelines and funded by health insurance funds. We talk a lot about declining birth rates and how to combat it. There is an effective way: adding Embryotest and other similar tests to the standard government funding program for all patients who undergo IVF. This will double the IVF performance, resulting in additional 40 or 50 thousand newborns per year. The amount we are talking about is RUB 7 billion. Considering how each person born will affect the GDP, this will be one of the best investments in the country.”
According to the latest report of the Russian Association of Human Reproduction, 148.6 thousand IVF cycles were performed in Russia in 2020. However, 8.5% of all IVF cycles were accompanied by PGT. Over the past 7 or 10 years there has been an increase in the total number of both IVF cycles and IVF cycles with PGT in Russia.
In 2019, according to the Russian Accounts Chamber, RUB 9.8 billion were allocated for IVF treatment for infertile patients. 79,566 IVF cycles were performed under compulsory medical insurance in 2019. The share of women registered in prenatal care among those treated with IVF was 31.92%, meaning that about 54 thousand cycles were unsuccessful (68.08%). This means that RUB 6.7 billion from the Russian budget were spent on unsuccessful IVF cycles.
According to calculations, if these 79,566 IVF cycles had been carried out with PGT, the number of unsuccessful IVF cycles would be reduced by more than 2 times. The estimated costs for these 79 thousand IVF cycles using PGT would be RUB 12.4 billion (2.2 embryos per cycle). This is only RUB 2.6 billion more than the amount spent from the Russian budget on IVF without PGT under compulsory medical insurance. At the same time, budget costs for unsuccessful IVF cycles would be reduced by almost 2 times (RUB 3.8 billion for IVF with PGT versus RUB 6.7 billion for IVF without PGT).
The full version of the report is available at: https://investors.genetico.ru/overview%20of%20international%20PGT%20markets.html
Genetico Center is part of the Human Stem Cell Institute group (HSCI, MOEX: ISKJ). It is a resident of Skolkovo and Medtech Moscow, the Moscow Center for Innovative Technologies in Healthcare Technopark. The company works in the field of medical genetics and genetic research, implementing into medical practice innovative solutions for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of genetic and socially significant diseases.
On April 25, 2023, during its IPO on the Moscow Exchange, Genetico raised RUB 178.8 million. The order book was oversubscribed by 2.5 times. It was the first IPO in the Russian market this year. Genetico’s shares are traded in the IIM (Innovation and Investment Market) sector, the exchange sector for high-tech companies with significant growth potential. Genetico’s shares are listed as high-tech economy sector securities.