NSW-based reproductive technology specialist Memphasys has received another feather in its cap with a supportive paper for its patented Felix system which aids IVF procedures published in a renowned scientific journal.
The study appears in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, an official journal of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
A group of scientists from centres known as key opinion leaders, or “KOL” collaborated in comparing Memphasys’ Felix system with a conventional method of separating sperm from semen for use in IVF called density gradient centrifugation, or “DGC”.
The research, supported by Memphasys, was conducted across five KOLs in Australia, China, Sweden, India and the USA.
ASX-listed Memphasys uses advanced technology to support assisted reproductive technologies, or “ART” for both humans and animals. Felix comprises an automated electrophoretic device which separates sperm from raw semen via a proprietary process that combines electrophoresis and size-exclusion membranes whilst excluding contaminants such as leukocytes and germ cells.
Memphasys says one of Felix’s key advantages is its speed. The company says it can process semen samples in six minutes whilst other sperm-separation methods can take up to 60 minutes.
In the paper for the journal, scientists examined 112 samples and concluded: “The Felix device is a positive technical development capable of isolating suspensions of highly motile spermatozoa exhibiting low levels of DNA damage in a fraction of the time taken by conventional procedures such as DGC.”
They also noted Felix isolated sperm in a standardised six-minute preparation period whilst DGC protocols took “around 40 minutes” to complete. Moreover, four of the five centres reported a “significant improvement” in the DNA integrity of the sperm relative to the DGC method.
One of the ART industry’s priorities is developing optimised technologies for preparing sperm for assisted conception – yet the methods used have essentially remained unchanged for more than 50 years, the paper pointed out.
Though Felix is still involved in clinical studies and certain regulatory processes, it is currently available for sale overseas in certain markets, including Japan, Canada and New Zealand.
The tick of approval for Felix is the second in a respected scientific journal in short succession. Andrology, the Journal of the American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology, recently published a scientific study that concludes sperm isolation with Felix outperforms conventional DGC preparation in selecting cells with low DNA damage.
In addition, as is the case with the latest paper, the authors note the Felix process is “very fast” and standardised.
Memphasys says the two peer-reviewed papers underpin the utility of Felix and will enhance commercialisation discussions and add to future regulatory filing material. Memphasys’ shares spiked 20 per cent during intraday trading to hit 2 cents.
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By Matt Birney
