Infertility is an unfortunately common condition that is becoming more widespread. It comes with a long list of possible causes, but in cases where the problem is in stimulating the ovaries and producing viable eggs, a new FSH receptor (FSHR) agonist drug may present a new way forward (https://longevity.technology/news/celmatix-identifies-leads-in-oral-fertility-drug-program/).
Around a fifth of married women in the 18-49 age group in the US experience fertility problems. Around the world, tens of millions of women are impacted, and the numbers seem to be increasing. Female infertility can be caused by age, genetics, hormones, infection, tobacco smoking, immune system problems, chemotherapy or conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), among a range of other possibilities.
Treatment for infertility depends on the cause. Sometimes, the underlying condition can be cured. Sometimes you may benefit from artificial assistance, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), but this can be a lengthy and expensive process with no guaranteed result. An average course of IVF spans two cycles and involves at least 60 injections before enough viable eggs are produced.
Celematix is a company specializing in reproductive longevity. It’s in the early stages of developing the first oral FSH receptor (FSHR) agonist. FSH is follicle-stimulating hormone. It plays a vital role in both female and male puberty and impacts the reproductive system through life.
The aim of an FSHR agonist is to stimulate FSH receptors but to avoid doing the same with the receptor for thyroid hormones. This could encourage the production of more eggs. Not only could this make IVF more effective, and therefore less of a strain, but it may even remove the need for IVF completely in some cases. Imagine if there was a way to stimulate egg production in PCOS without the invasiveness of IVF?
Part of the reason that research into this potential new drug is progressing so well is that it is able to make use of modern computational methods, including AI, to collect and analyze data. There’s already evidence of a 20x improvement compared to results in previous FSHR research. It’s not quite there yet, though. Clinical studies are possible around 2025.
It’s not only women who may benefit from this drug. It also has the potential to help male infertility by increasing sperm count and improving sperm viability. It’s also not the only Celematix fertility treatment in development.
