SubsidieMeestersCultivating hope one star sperm at a time
Spermotile aims to revolutionize male infertility treatment by providing an automated, AI-driven sperm selection platform that enhances ART success rates and reduces costs for clinics and patients.
Projectdetails
Introduction
The Spermotile project addresses the growing issue of male infertility, which affects approximately 1 in 6 couples globally. Male infertility is responsible for 40% of fertility challenges and has been increasingly prevalent due to various environmental, genetic, and lifestyle factors.
Current Challenges in Fertility Treatments
Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ARTs) such as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) rely on high-quality sperm selection to maximize fertility success. However, current sperm selection techniques are:
- Manual
- Low-throughput
- Often subjective
These limitations lead to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Spermotile's Innovative Solution
Spermotile offers a breakthrough solution for ART through an automated, AI-driven platform that integrates three key technologies:
- Stain-free optical microscopy
- A Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) engine powered by trustworthy AI
- A novel ActiveFilter microfluidic chip
The system selects and collects the highest quality "star sperm" for use in ART procedures. This selection process is performed with:
- High throughput
- Minimal manual input
- No damage to sperm quality
These features significantly improve the efficiency and outcomes of fertility treatments.
Integration and Benefits
Spermotile integrates easily into clinical workflows, adding just 30 minutes and minimal technician time. The benefits include:
- Improved ART success rates by up to 12%
- Reduction in the number of cycles needed
- Boost in clinic throughput fivefold
- Lower costs for both patients and clinics
Background and Future Goals
Spermotile builds on prior European projects, including MUSICAL, 3D-nanoMorph, and ERC PoC-funded Spermotile. The project aims for TRL 6 and EU regulatory approval by 2027, holding three pending patents and a growing IP portfolio, positioning it for commercialization.
Sustainability and Ethical Considerations
By addressing SDGs 3.7 and 5.6, Spermotile also minimizes environmental impact through energy-efficient AI and ethical data management.
Conclusion
The goal is to establish Spermotile as a standard tool in fertility clinics, revolutionizing male infertility treatment.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
| Subsidiebedrag | € 2.499.906 |
| Totale projectbegroting | € 2.499.906 |
Tijdlijn
| Startdatum | 1-4-2025 |
| Einddatum | 30-9-2027 |
| Subsidiejaar | 2025 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- UNIVERSITETET I TROMSOE - NORGES ARKTISKE UNIVERSITETpenvoerder
Land(en)
Vergelijkbare projecten binnen EIC Transition
| Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
AI and Robotics for Prostate BiopsyThe ROBIOPSY project aims to develop a robotic prostate biopsy prototype for clinical trials, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and addressing health economics for improved cancer treatment. | EIC Transition | € 2.499.141 | 2023 | Details |
3P-Tec - Three-parent breeding technology for plants of the futureThe project aims to develop a revolutionary three-parent breeding technology (3P-Tec) to create climate-resilient crops, enhancing yields and accelerating the commercialization of improved seed varieties. | EIC Transition | € 2.498.828 | 2022 | Details |
LUCERO BIO: Smart Optofluidic Isolation of Spheroids for Early-Stage Drug DiscoveryLucero aims to enhance drug screening by developing a scalable 3D cell-handling platform using microfluidics and AI, enabling personalized medicine and improving treatment efficacy in pharmaceuticals. | EIC Transition | € 1.298.712 | 2023 | Details |
AI and Robotics for Prostate Biopsy
The ROBIOPSY project aims to develop a robotic prostate biopsy prototype for clinical trials, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and addressing health economics for improved cancer treatment.
3P-Tec - Three-parent breeding technology for plants of the future
The project aims to develop a revolutionary three-parent breeding technology (3P-Tec) to create climate-resilient crops, enhancing yields and accelerating the commercialization of improved seed varieties.
LUCERO BIO: Smart Optofluidic Isolation of Spheroids for Early-Stage Drug Discovery
Lucero aims to enhance drug screening by developing a scalable 3D cell-handling platform using microfluidics and AI, enabling personalized medicine and improving treatment efficacy in pharmaceuticals.
Vergelijkbare projecten uit andere regelingen
| Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sperm filtration for improved success rate of assisted reproduction technologyThe 3D nanoMorph project enhances sperm selection for assisted reproduction technologies by enabling detailed analysis of motility and kinematics, addressing fertility challenges in an aging population. | ERC Proof of... | € 150.000 | 2023 | Details |
Shaping the future – From spermatids to spermatozoaThe project aims to enhance understanding of sperm cell morphology and motility through advanced imaging techniques, with implications for infertility diagnosis and potential male contraceptive development. | ERC Consolid... | € 1.999.963 | 2023 | Details |
Representative, Reliable and Reproducible in vitro Models of the Human TestesThe project aims to develop a reliable preclinical model of human testes using tailored hydrogels to improve male infertility treatments through high-throughput experimentation and automated analysis. | ERC Starting... | € 1.499.980 | 2022 | Details |
ReceptIVFity 2.0Het project ontwikkelt ReceptIVFity 2.0, een zelftest die het vaginaal microbioom analyseert om de kans op succesvolle embryo-innesteling bij IVF/ICSI te kwantificeren, wat patiënten helpt bij hun vruchtbaarheidstraject. | Mkb-innovati... | € 249.837 | 2022 | Details |
Developing a human-based stem cell model for reproductive toxicityDeveloping a high-throughput human-based assay for male reproductive toxicity to enhance drug safety testing and reduce reliance on animal models. | ERC Proof of... | € 150.000 | 2024 | Details |
Sperm filtration for improved success rate of assisted reproduction technology
The 3D nanoMorph project enhances sperm selection for assisted reproduction technologies by enabling detailed analysis of motility and kinematics, addressing fertility challenges in an aging population.
Shaping the future – From spermatids to spermatozoa
The project aims to enhance understanding of sperm cell morphology and motility through advanced imaging techniques, with implications for infertility diagnosis and potential male contraceptive development.
Representative, Reliable and Reproducible in vitro Models of the Human Testes
The project aims to develop a reliable preclinical model of human testes using tailored hydrogels to improve male infertility treatments through high-throughput experimentation and automated analysis.
ReceptIVFity 2.0
Het project ontwikkelt ReceptIVFity 2.0, een zelftest die het vaginaal microbioom analyseert om de kans op succesvolle embryo-innesteling bij IVF/ICSI te kwantificeren, wat patiënten helpt bij hun vruchtbaarheidstraject.
Developing a human-based stem cell model for reproductive toxicity
Developing a high-throughput human-based assay for male reproductive toxicity to enhance drug safety testing and reduce reliance on animal models.