June 29, 2017 07:01 ET | Source: ObsEva SA

Phase 2 nolasiban previously reported data supports potential for meaningfully increasing live birth rates in ART

Non-clinical results of OBE022 for PTL demonstrate both monotherapy/combination potential

Geneva, Switzerland and Boston, MA - 29 June 2017 - ObsEva SA (Nasdaq: OBSV), a Swiss biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for serious conditions that compromise a woman's reproductive health and pregnancy, today announced it will make presentations at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) 2017 Annual Meeting, taking place July 2-5 in Geneva, Switzerland. These presentations will include the following:

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to present to the medical community, these two sets of data from the development programs of two of our product candidates, nolasiban and OBE022." said Ernest Loumaye, MD, PhD, OBGYN, CEO and Co-Founder of ObsEva.

"The results of the IMPLANT study with nolasiban, previously reported, show a potential absolute improvement of about 10 percent, or greater in live birth rate in women undergoing assisted reproduction for infertility. This magnitude of improvement, if replicated in our ongoing, 760 patients, Phase 3, IMPLANT-2 clinical trial that we began in March of 2017, could have a significant impact on patients undergoing IVF as currently only about one out of three patients will go home with a baby after an embryo transfer.

The pharmacology data presented for OBE022 are also important as they not only indicate the potential of our compound to treat preterm labor as monotherapy but also displays additive effects with currently available treatments that have limited efficacy. We are utilizing these key data to design the Phase 2 program for OBE022 in pregnant women with preterm labor, which is scheduled to begin later this year."

About Assisted Reproductive Technology

Infertility affects about 10 percent of reproductive-aged couples, with approximately 1.6 million ART treatments (including IVF and ICSI) performed worldwide each year.

While the success of ART depends on multiple factors such as embryo quality and ET procedure, a successful pregnancy ultimately hinges on the receptivity of the uterus to accept embryo implantation. Uterine contractions at the time of ET, as well as suboptimal thickness of the uterine wall and blood flow to the uterus, may impair the implantation of the embryo.

About Nolasiban

Nolasiban (previously known as OBE001), is an oral oxytocin receptor antagonist with the potential to decrease uterine contractions, improve uterine blood flow and enhance the receptivity of the endometrium to embryo implantation, all of which may increase the chance of successful pregnancy and live-birth among patients undergoing ART. ObsEva licensed nolasiban from Merck-Serono in 2013 and retains worldwide commercial rights.

About Preterm Labor

Preterm labor, defined as the birthing process starting prior to 37 weeks of gestation, is a serious condition characterized by uterine contractions, cervical dilation and rupture of the fetal membranes that can lead to preterm birth. According to a study published in the Lancet in 2012, approximately 15 million babies were born before 37 weeks of gestation in 2010, accounting for 11.1% of all live births worldwide. Over 1 million children under the age of five died in 2013 worldwide due to preterm birth complications, and many infants who survive preterm birth are at greater risk for cerebral palsy, delays in development, hearing and vision issues, and often face a lifetime of disability. The rates of preterm births are rising in almost all countries with reliable data for preterm birth, and are associated with an immense financial impact to the global healthcare system.

To date, only treatments with limited efficacy or restrictive safety issues are available to treat preterm labor. Inthe United States, recommended first-line tocolytic treatments (medications that inhibit labor) include beta-adrenergic receptor agonists, calcium channel blockers, or NSAIDs, which are used for short-term prolongation of pregnancy (up to 48 hours) to allow for the administration of antenatal steroids (e.g. betamethasone). Magnesium sulfate, used for fetal neuroprotection can also be used (up to 48 hours) to inhibit acute preterm labor. Approved tocolytic treatments inEuropeinclude beta-adrenergic agonists, which carry severe maternal cardiovascular risks, and intravenous infusions of atosiban (an oxytocin receptor antagonist).

While prostaglandin inhibitors (NSAIDs) have been shown to be effective for inhibiting preterm labor, use of such drugs is limited, due to the threat of serious and sometimes life-threatening side effects in the fetus. Such side effects may include kidney function impairment, premature constriction of the blood vessel connecting the pulmonary artery and the descending aorta in a developing fetus, and higher risk of thrombosis of the intestinal arteries (a condition called necrotizing enterocolitis).

About OBE022 andPGF2alpha

ObsEvais developing OBE022, a potential first-in-class, once daily, oral and selective prostaglandin F2alpha receptor antagonist, which is designed to control preterm labor by reducing inflammation, decreasing uterine contractions, preventing cervical changes and fetal membrane rupture without causing the potentially serious side effects to the fetus seen with non-specific prostaglandin inhibitors (NSAIDs). PGF2alpha is believed to induce contractions of the myometrium and also upregulate enzymes causing cervix dilation and membrane rupture. In nonclinical studies,ObsEvahas observed that OBE022 markedly reduces spontaneous and induced uterine contractions in pregnant rats without causing the fetal side effects seen with prostaglandin inhibitors such as indomethacin. ObsEva licensed OBE022 from Merck-Serono in 2015 and retains worldwide commercial rights.

About ObsEva

ObsEva is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the clinical development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for serious conditions that compromise a woman's reproductive health and pregnancy. Through strategic in-licensing and disciplined drug development, ObsEva has established a late-stage clinical pipeline with development programs focused on treating endometriosis, uterine fibroids, preterm labor and improving ART outcomes. ObsEva is listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market and is trading under the ticker symbol "OBSV". For more information, please visit http://www.ObsEva.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words such as "believe", "expect", "may", "plan," "potential," "will," and similar expressions, and are based on ObsEva's current beliefs and expectations. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially include uncertainties inherent in the conduct of clinical trials and related interactions with regulatory bodies, ObsEva's reliance on third parties over which it may not always have full control, and other risks and uncertainties that are described in the Risk Factors section of ObsEva's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2016, and other filings ObsEva makes with the SEC from time to time. These documents are available on the Investors page of ObsEva's website at http://www.obseva.com. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are based on information available to ObsEva as of the date of this release, and ObsEva assumes no obligation to, and does not intend to, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

###

Media Contact: Liz Bryan Spectrum Science lbryan@spectrumscience.com + 1 202-955-6222 x2526

Company Contact: CEO Office Contact Delphine Renaud delphine.renaud@obseva.ch +41 22-552-1550

Investor Contact Mario Corso Senior Director, Investor Relations mario.corso@obseva.com +1 781-366-5726

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ObsEva Announces Presentations Related to its Assisted ... - GlobeNewswire (press release)

Ovation Fertility Chief Executive Officer Nate Snyder

LOS ANGELES, CA (PRWEB) June 28, 2017

Ovation Fertility continues to maintain its presence in the international market with three research projects accepted for presentation at the 33rd Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). Nearly 10,000 participants including some of the worlds top thought leaders in reproductive medicine are expected to attend the event July 2-5 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Ovation Fertility topics include advancements in embryo biopsy techniques and frozen embryo storage, plus advantages of preimplantation genetic screening.

ESHRE is selective about the research it accepts for presentation, and our presence speaks to the expertise of our scientists and partner physicians, says Ovation Fertility Chief Executive Officer Nate Snyder. We are honored to join other top minds at the international level who are bringing about global advancements and innovations in technology that make families possible for people who have struggled with infertility.

Presentations at Conference

Ovation Fertility will present three posters on its current research:

1.Differential human blastocyst vitrification: A randomized comparative trial assessing solution and device treatments under varying cooling/warming conditions

The vitrification, or freezing, of human embryos for storage has evolved into a highly reliable and efficient process in most assisted reproductive technology laboratories worldwide. Over the past several years, Ovation Fertility Newport Beach Lab Director Mitchel C. Schiewe, Ph.D., has strived to better understand the physical and chemical relationships of vitrification treatments using a re-vitrification model to define thresholds of tolerance for post-warming survival/viability.

Authors: Mitchel C. Schiewe, Ph.D.; Cherie Gibbs; RaeAnne vanTol; Kelley Waggoner; Kay Howard; Julie Howard; Amy Jones; Melanie Freeman, Ph.D.; and Shane Zozula

2.Does the blastocyst biopsy technique affect aneuploidy rates?

This study looked into the inherent variables associated with the blastocyst biopsy procedure, and whether they influence aneuploidy, or chromosomal abnormality, rates. Conclusions showed that embryo quality and the day of development had no significance when conducting a difficult biopsy.

Authors: John Whitney; Robert E. Anderson, M.D., (Southern California Center for Reproductive Medicine); Cecelia Rios; Nancy Nugent; Shane Zozula; and Mitchel C. Schiewe, Ph.D.

3.Lessons learned from over 1,100 preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) cycles: outcome analysis

Ovation Fertility researchers looked at relevant clinical outcome percentages for blastocyst development and aneuploidy in women using preimplantation genetic screening in conjunction with age groups. Cycles generating at least one euploid, or chromosomally normal, blastocyst occurred 89% of the time for patients younger than 38; 59% for patients 38 years or older; and 100% occurrence using an egg donor.

Authors: Robert E. Anderson M.D., (Southern California Center for Reproductive Medicine); Mitchel C. Schiewe, Ph.D.; and John Whitney

About Ovation Fertility Ovation Fertility Founded in 2015 by a coalition of thought-leading reproductive endocrinologists and scientists, Ovation Fertility is a national fertility service provider offering a suite of state-of-the-art assisted reproductive technology services to aspiring parents, including embryology, andrology and genetic testing as part of the in vitro fertilization process. Ovation Fertility partners with physicians who are committed to reducing the average cost of a live birth through IVF by advancing industry standards in fertility treatment. For more information, visit http://www.ovationfertility.com.

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Ovation Fertility Presents Reproductive Technology Advancements at Renowned ESHRE Conference July 2 - 5 in ... - PR Web (press release)

Why do men cheat? It's not just a question we think you ask, it's a question we know you ask thanks to some nifty data we were given by Google. And the more we looked into the numbers, the more we realised that you ask the internet a lot of questions that begin with, "Why do men...?" From "Why do men go bald?" and "Why do men have nipples?" to "Why do men like spanking?" and "Why do men pull away when they are falling in love?" To save you the bother of scratching around questionable sources for the answers, we assembled a crack team of experts to answer every question you have about men, including a GP, qualified psychological therapist, GQ's resident sex expert and some of the finest journalists on God's green earth. Time to find out what really goes on in our heads...

Following revelations surrounding Tiger Woods' personal life in 2009, Tony Parsons offered a neat-edged summation to the mystery of male infidelity. Here is an excerpt from the piece. For the full hit, read "Why Some Men Stray" unabridged.

"Not all men stray. And some men stray for a bit and then they settle down. That is what many women find difficult to accept that sometimes a man strays not because he is a heartless, fornicating bastard but simply because he has not yet met the right girl.

As a general rule, poor men stray because of opportunity (Mavis in the stationery cupboard) and rich men stray because of a sense of entitlement (VIP areas stuffed with willing lovelies).

When Tiger Woods made his public confession after his tsunami of shagging became public knowledge, he was criticised for apologising to his corporate sponsors as well as his wife. And yet, Woods perfectly summed up why the multimillionaire alpha male can love his wife and children, and yet also love having sex with porn stars. Look beyond that sterile, stage-managed setting, and you had Woods giving the Gettysburg Address of Infidelity. "I thought I could get away with everything I wanted to," said Tiger. "I felt I had worked hard and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled."

He felt that he was entitled. Simple as that. Lives turned inside out, oceans of hurt and betrayal to last a lifetime, because Tiger felt they he was well within his rights to do exactly what he wanted. He summed it up perfectly. I do these things because I have earned them."

Our resident GP, Dr Alison Barwise, replies.

"It all comes down to embryology, which is the study of embryos and foetuses and how nipples develop. During weeks five to six of embryonic growth, the first stages of mammary (nipples and breasts) development occur. It is not until around week eight that a foetus starts to begin to develop male or female reproductive organs (even though the sex of a foetus is determined at the point of conception). As the foetus develops, female hormones support the development of functioning nipples whereas in a male foetus, hormones block any further development. However, as the mammary development has already occurred, the nipples simply remain anatomically present, albeit without the ability to function like the female nipples.

Men can't lactate in the same way a female can lactate because, while mens nipples may appear to look structurally up to the job, there isnt quite the same breast tissue, duct and gland network behind them or the hormones circulating in the bloodstream to support lactation.

That said, men can produce a discharge from their nipple, which is called galactorrhoea. It is always abnormal and should prompt a medical assessment. It can be caused by antidepressants, antipsychotics, cannabis, amphetamines, drugs used to treat epilepsy and blood pressure and pituitary gland tumours. So no, you can't be milked.

There is such thing as an 'extra nipple' as well. Approximately one to five per cent of men and women have an accessory nipple, like Scaramanga."

This is another one for our resident GP:

"The most common cause of baldness in men is male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). This condition affects up to 50 per cent of men by the time they are 50.

Androgenic alopecia is a condition caused by a genetic predisposition whereby the hair follicles in some parts of the scalp become sensitive to circulating male hormones. This causes the hair follicles to become smaller, which means that the hair is more likely to fall out.

It also results in the hairs staying in the resting phase of their growth cycle for longer than the active growing phase, which not only makes them more vulnerable to falling out, but also means the rate of hair shedding exceeds the rate of hair growth eventually leading to baldness.

Sadly, you can't prevent it from happening. Androgenic alopecia is predominantly genetically determined so there is little you can do to prevent it. There is no current evidence to support the use of dietary supplements or use of herbal remedies.

There other types of baldness that can affect you, too. Less common causes include:

Alopecia areata whereby discrete areas of baldness develop across the scalp in well demarcated patches.

Stress-related hair loss which can happen after a stressful life event and results in a diffuse thinning across the scalp.

Trichotillomania, which is a hair-pulling disorder, and can be associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression.

Scalp infections, including fungal and bacterial scalp conditions, that cause baldness often associated with patches of scaling or crusting on the head."

In researching his piece about the allure of breasts (and his resistance to the idea that bigger is better), GQ's Features Director, Jonathan Heaf, discovered:

"Historically, the idea of breasts being a turn on for men comes from the concept of signalling the greater the flesh, the riper the fruit. This is why in some parts of Cambodia, many elder tribeswomen go to great lengths to strap down, flatten with hot pebbles and generally suppress the rapidly expanding bosoms of maturing adolescent girls."

Now read the full piece, titled "Why I'm Scared Of Big Breasts".

Our resident GP replies:

"Actually, GQ, they dont. While life expectancy is increasing generally across both sexes in the UK, women are living longer than their male counterparts. Research by the Office For National Statistics, published in 2016, shows that in 2013-2015 the life expectancy at birth in the UK for men was 79.1 years and for women was 82.8 years.

So, why do women live longer than men? It's a complicated issue with many experts differing in their opinions. It is likely due to a combination of social, biological, behavioural, evolutionary and other factors that influence longevity.

Generally speaking, women have always lived longer than men, but men are closing the gap. An interesting study published in The Lancet this year by Imperial College London found that the female life expectancy advantage over men was shrinking.

It's difficult to pin down any one reason, but there are various theories including the fact that traditionally men were more likely to be exposed to industrial hazards in the workplace such as dust and fume inhalation than their female counterparts. Decreasing rates of smoking over the past 50 years may also play a part, with recent figures suggesting that, while men still generally smoke more than women, the gap between male and female cigarette consumption is closing. Men are also being encouraged through a range of national health awareness campaigns to be more proactive when it comes to their health and to seek medical advice if concerned."

We consulted with Stefan Walters on this. He's a graduate member of the British Psychological Society (BPS), a member of the British Association For Counselling And Psychotherapy (BACP) and a member of the Association For Family Therapy (AFT), so he's studied, seen and heard it all.

"There's a theory called attachment theory that states our early relationship experiences, usually with our parents, set the foundations for how we're going to respond to relationships later in life. If your parents are responsive, nurturing and safe then we learn that relationships are safe and secure. If your parents aren't very good at that; if they're busy at work, there are lots of other children around and they're too busy to give us their attention, or if they're abusive, then we might learn that relationships are unreliable.

We carry those experiences and attachments into our adult lives. If we've learned that relationships are unreliable, we learn to protect ourselves from that possible vulnerability and disappointment by putting barriers up and pushing people away because we feel vulnerable.

Attachment theory isn't specific to men, but a lot of men are brought up to show a limited range of emotions and that effects how we express our vulnerability. Lots of men are socialised to operate within two emotions positivity and anger. That then effects how you respond and communicate in relationships. If you're not allowed to show vulnerability then it limits how you can interact with someone when you're [trying to express] that emotion.

This theory largely relies on learned experiences, but there can be a biological element. You can inherit anxiety and that can mean that you're more anxious in relationships, but generally attachment styles are learned behaviours."

This one falls between our sex experts and psychologists, but we've handed over to Stefan again as BDSM is something that's tricky to unpick if you're an outsider.

"It's important to say that a lot of men have no interest in ball gags at all. But for those who do, I use the analogy of Branston Pickle. Rather than just eating cheese, for example, which is just one sensory experience, the pickle adds an extra layer even though the flavours may seem at odds. It heightens and intensifies the sensory experience. Kinks are, essentially, the same. Instead of just having sex a single pleasurable experience you're adding an experience that clashes with it like, say, pain, and that intensifies your sensory and physiological experiences.

With ball gags specifically, they limit the airways and breathing, so there's a sense of panic and being controlled. That means there's a lot of sensory experiences, psychological experiences and physical experiences mixed together, which is where the appeal lies."

Stefan replies:

"Visually, stockings trigger arousal for a lot of people because they cover up but also reveal at the same time. Visually, there's a sense of it being a bit of a tease, and the idea of teasing and wanting what you can't have is something we learn from childhood.

The same idea applies to some men's attraction to affairs with married partners. It engages a hunter's instinct, which makes men feel very predatory and want to go pursue their object of their desire. Usually, after these affairs or one-night stands, men feel less interested and ask themselves why they did it. But as long as the idea of a tease persists, as with stockings, some men can feel stimulated."

And our last reply from Stefan:

"This, again, can be related to a childhood experience. Perhaps the man was spanked and that made him feel naughty, which, in turn, made him rebellious a feeling he derided pleasure from. But it's not necessarily that simple.

For some men, it's like a therapeutic relief. Someone who has to control or discipline in their everyday life may find it therapeutic and relieving if someone else takes control. Likewise, if someone has to be polite and submissive all day, they may find a huge amount of relief in taking control and spanking. If spanking is something that a client was drawn to and it's in a consenting, controlled environment, I would advocate for that. There's nothing wrong with it."

Sex expert and GQ regular, Rebecca Newman, didn't just tell you why men like spanking, but offered a how-to guide. You can read the full piece, entitled "Happy Slapping", by following the link. The abridged reply is:

"The British live up to the stereotype: we top the global charts for watching spanking porn. Spanking is not only a fabulous act of transgression, of dominance and submission, of skill and style (involving any number of beautifully finished accessories); done right, it also confers a singularly mind-blowing sexual ecstasy whether or not it is done hard enough to 'hurt'."

The following advice is as accurate and as comprehensive as possible but it is only general advice and should not be used as a substitute for the individual advice you might receive from consulting your own doctor.

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Why do men cheat? (And the answer to every other question you have about guys) - GQ.com

In addition, BCSI announced the availability of a stand-alone software license for TrakStation Software to monitor up to eight (8) chambers using a customer supplied Windows PC running Windows 8.0, 8.1 or 10 or Macintosh running Mac OSX 10.8 or later.

"For customers who want to reclaim their capital investment in lab computers, our software only product allows installation and use of TrakPods with those systems. Our goal is to offer affordable customized solutions for all labs who want to move to the future of pH monitoring." Aldrich said.

BCSI will be demonstrating the new enhanced ASUS tablet TrakStation and our stand alone software bundle at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) show at Booth G55 in Geneva, Switzerland from 2 5 July 2017.

For further details, a product demonstration or quote, please visit http://www.safesens.com, call +1 (425) 654-8445, email ph@safesens.com or contact your local distributor.

TrakStation and TrakPod are the latest generation of continuous pH monitoring laboratory instruments from BCSI. The TrakStation has the capability of monitoring and logging pH data from one (1) to eight (8) chambers simultaneously. The system provides lab managers or clinicians with assurance of a stable incubator pH environment throughout the five (5) to seven (7) day IVF cycle. In contrast to systems that spot monitor pH, this unique surrogate continuous pH monitoring approach does not require opening and closing of incubator doors, thus allowing an uninterrupted incubation cycle and promoting better outcomes for IVF procedures.

The system requires no expensive calibration or adjustments during usage. Each disposable sensor lasts the entire 7-day cycle and is replaced between cycles. A reusable QC alignment tool adjusts the instrument to factory specifications in under ten (10) seconds after each cycle is complete; the QC alignment tool is replaced annually.

About BCSI (www.safesens.com) Blood Cell Storage Inc. (BCSI), based in Seattle, Washington, is an international laboratory instrument and medical devices company. BCSI's patented technology and products benefit patients, clinicians, researchers, pathologists and doctors. In addition to IVF monitors, the company's fluorescent dyes, micro-fluidics, nucleic acid extraction capabilities and automated systems reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.BCSI is represented in over twenty (20) countries world-wide and has OEM relationships with Astec, Labotect and Esco Medical.

For more information, please contact: Russ Aldrich Blood Cell Storage, Inc. 425-654-8449 russ.aldrich@safesens.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-safe-sens-trakstation-pricing-software-bundle-300480043.html

SOURCE Blood Cell Storage, Inc.

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New SAFE Sens TrakStation Pricing, Software Bundle - PR Newswire (press release)

Couples seeking IVF treatment to have a baby will have to travel to Cardiff when NHS bosses in Bristol close the clinic.

North Bristol NHS Trust has told couples it has "decided to discontinue the provision" at Southmead Hospital, and the clinic will close at the end of November.

The decision has been taken by NHS bosses because individual local GPsgroups that pay for the service have cut back on who is eligible for in vitro fertilisation treatment on the NHS, and how many 'cycles' they are eligible for.

That has meant the number of people receiving IVF treatment at Southmead Hospital on the NHS has dwindled over the past couple of years, and now the majority of the people treated there are actually paying thousands of pounds from their own pockets.

NHS bosses in North Bristol said that does not fit with the ethos of the NHS - and their resources would be better put into other much-needed NHS services.

It will mean there will be nowhere in the city, where the world's first IVF conceived baby Louise Brown lives, that will carry out the treatment.

All those having fertility treatment will be able to continue their current cycle, but it is understood that no new patients will be taken on.

There is no other place to undergo IVF processes either privately or through the NHS in Bristol, which means that couples struggling to conceive may be sent to Cardiff and neighbouring hospital trusts to have the procedure carried out.

The news has prompted a backlash from people who have used the service both privately and through the NHS including pregnant Sarah OMahony.

She said: There is no other physical or mental illness I know of which affects you as much as the pain of being infertile.

This decision will leave couples devastated.

North Bristol NHS Trust currently runs a number of fertility services from Southmead Hospital including fertility assessment, investigations and surgery.

The letter states that these services will still continue, but the actual process of IVF the removal of a womans egg cells for fertilisation and the reinsertion of the fertilised egg in to the womans womb - will no longer be available.

The Trust told patients: Following a review last year, the Trust has decided to discontinue the provision of Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) licensed fertility services such as IVF from the end of November 2017.

This decision has been made in order to focus on providing acute NHS services.

Patients currently having treatment or in treatment planning at BCRM will be able to complete their cycles and gametes and embryos currently in storage at the centre will continue to be stored by a licensed regulated provider.

The letter suggests that the decision has been taken because there has been a reduction in the number of NHS patients receiving IVF.

However, Ms OMahony said this is likely because of stricter rules on the age and circumstances of women eligible to undergo IVF on the NHS.

The closure of the service will also affect women who plan to privately fund IVF treatment as both the private and NHS procedures were carried out at Southmead hospital.

Ms OMahony has spent 40,000 on privately funding five cycles of IVF treatment and is now five months pregnant with her first child.

The 42-year-old said: Because I was over 40 I was not permitted to undergo IVF on the NHS, but I still used the same facility for all five of my cycles.

If I had heard this news last year I would have been devastated, heartbroken, and I can imagine that is how lots of couples will feel.

Ms OMahony who started her first cycle in 2015 - said even adding a little extra time on to hospital and clinic journeys will affect women undergoing treatment.

She said: When you start off they essentially give you medication to induce the menopause and that leaves you feeling tired and drained and awful.

I know going to say Cardiff isnt that much further in distance, but when you are feeling that unwell it is a huge thing.

And it isnt like you are popping over for a check-up, if you are having a procedure you may have to stay overnight and if they need to see you it might not be possible to get over quickly there are lots of reasons why I think it is a bad idea.

Ms OMahony is looking forward to giving birth in October, but has said it might make her and other women think twice about going in for IVF.

There are a lot of misconceptions around IVF, she said.

People say why should we be paying for you to have a baby but infertility is physically debilitating.

I personally think that it would be more cost effective to keep the clinic open because it must surely cost more to the Trust to treat women depression and health problems associated with them not being able to have children.

Would-be parents come from all over the Bristol area and further afield - with Clinical Commissioning Groups, the NHS organisations run on a county or area basis by GPs - sending couples to Southmead from as far away as Wiltshire, Somerset and Gloucestershire.

It will be up to those CCGs and not North Bristol NHS Trust where those couples are sent instead from November, but the nearest alternative is in Cardiff or Birmingham for both NHS-funded couples or people paying for it themselves.

A joint statement from North Bristol NHS Trust and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG said: "Licensed fertility services for NHS and self-funded patients will continue to be provided by North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) until the end of November and plans are in development to ensure that the transfer of care to a new provider or providers, happens as smoothly as possible.

"Local CCGs are committed to the ongoing provision of licensed fertility services for NHS patients and have begun the process of recommissioning a provider to take over from the Trust.

"Services will be commissioned on the same basis as before and patients will be able to access the same range of licensed treatments, including IVF. The new NHS provider will be confirmed in the autumn.

"Patients are being notified of developments and further information is available on the CCGs websites and the website of the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine."

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NHS to close Bristol IVF centre leaving 'devastated couples' - Bristol Post

Micahel Palin is joining hundreds of students receiving a degree from St Andrews.

St Andrews was in a celebratory mood yesterday as a week of graduation ceremonies began.

Hundreds of students received their degrees at the start of a hectic week of summer services, with graduates in English, Psychology and International Relations among those to be recognised.

But amid the jubilation was a word of caution for those about to leave the university bubble, with Professor Gill Plain from the School of English saying that those leaving St Andrews would help to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the world.

In 1987 I graduated without paying, or promising, a penny in fees, she said.

So, much has changed in 30 years. But equally, it is hard, at times, not to have a disturbing sense of dj vu.

In 1987 there was a cold war in process, a celebrity in the White House, a female prime minister, a wall in Berlin and widespread fears of nuclear proliferation.

Also proliferating in law and public life were sexism, racism and homophobia. Much has changed, but these uncanny echoes this dj vu should warn us to be vigilant. Cultural attitudes quickly regress in times of instability and hardship.

But whatever todays politicians ultimately decide, you will be the generation that determines whether 30 years from now, we are living in a bunker, or celebrating the possibilities of an open, outward-facing and tolerant society.

Whatever your politics and preferences, in coming here, in being part of this university, you have chosen to be part of a community that respects the opinions of others.

Yesterdays graduation ceremony also saw the conferral of two honorary degrees.

Writer and broadcaster Dr Richard Holloway was recognised for his work with the British Medical Association and as a member of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, receiving a Doctor of Letters.

Meanwhile, Mexican novelist and politician Professor Laura Esquivel also received a Doctor of Letters for her contribution to literature and politics.

Later this week, legendary comedian, writer and broadcaster Michael Palin will be honoured by the ancient seat of learning.

The Pole to Pole star will be the third Monty Python member to be recognised, along with John Cleese and Terry Jones, when he receives an honorary degree on Friday.

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St Andrews celebrates start of graduation season - The Courier

PUBLISHED: 13:25 20 June 2017

Mathew Hulbert

DUP leader Arlene Foster and DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds

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It comes to a sorry pass when a Government which claims to be all about one nation Conservatism, about being there for every citizen, no matter what their gender identity, race, religion, sexuality or culture, is being propped up by arguably he most extreme political party in the House of Commons today.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) hold views which many would have been seen as old fashioned in the 19th Century, never mind the 21st.

Lots of words have already been broadcast and written about the DUPs socially-conservative view of social issues, especially in regards to LGBT matters.

But, what actually is their record? Lets go back to the partys beginnings in the 1970s, when it was founded by the late Reverend Ian Paisley, who would later go on to be Northern Irelands First Minister:

In 1977 he launched a campaign entitled Save Ulster from Sodomy in the hope of ensuring homosexuality remained illegal in the province;

In 1988 DUP MPs voted against the lowering of the age of consent for gay sex from 18 to 16;

In 2001 DUP MPs voted against a motion to bring forward a gender neutral Civil Registration Bill;

In 2002 DUP MPs voted against an amendment to a Bill to allow unmarried straight and gay couples to adopt children;

In 2004, as well as voting against both the second and third reading of the Gender Recognition Bill, DUP MPs voted against the second and third reading of the Civil Partnerships Bill;

In 2007, party grandee Lord Morrow proposed a motion, in the House of Lords, to defeat the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland).

Also in 2007, DUP MPs voted against a Government bill to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation;

In 2008, DUP peers voted to prevent a clause demanding the need for a father from being removed in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. If theyd have had their way and the clause had stayed, it would have meant lesbian couples being unable to access IVF treatment;

Again in 2008, DUP MPs twice voted against Government proposals to allow single mothers and lesbian couples to access IVF treatment;

In 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 DUP MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly) blocked motions aiming to secure same sex marriage in Northern Ireland, using a mechanism called the petition of concern (part of the Good Friday Agreement);

I have chosen not to list the quotes of various DUP elected representatives down the years, who have spoken in vitriolic terms about LGBT people, because theyre that upsetting I dont want to repeat them here and cause my fellow LGBT people any further distress.

But just some of the words used include describing homosexual relationships as immoral, offensive, an abomination and being repulsed by them.

I hope, by now, youre starting to get a good understanding-if you didnt already-of the kind of people who are now holding the Government of this country by the balls.

I know the Tories claims that these, Id argue, appalling views will have no bearing on LGBT rights in the rest of the UK.

But, even if they dont, what kind of message does them being so close to power send out?

What does it say to LGBT young people, who are already often facing bullying and discrimination at home and at school?

What does it say to LGBT people in many nations around the world, where to be gay is to be under threat of persecution and even death?

And, what does it say to LGBT people in Northern Ireland, who deserve to be equal under the law, but are currently treated as second class citizens because any effort to change the laws there are blocked by the DUP?

People are entitled to their own personal beliefs and religious convictions, as a liberal Ill always defend that.

But what theyre not or should not be entitled to do is to use those beliefs, in public policy terms, to block the equality and human rights of others.

That the Conservatives have had to prostrate themselves before the DUP, shows just how low theyll go to retain their grubby grip on power.

We who care about the rights of all LGBT people everywhere must speak up and out against this dangerous Coalition of Chaos.

Mathew Hulbert is an LGBT Rights activist and a former Lib Dem Councillor in Leicestershire. He tweets at @HulbertMathew.

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Mrs May and her gay-hating mates - The New European

Mitochondrial replacement therapy has been approved by British scientists and the first baby could be born this year

EARLIER this year, doctors were given the go-ahead to start performing three-parent baby fertility treatments in the UK.

Heres everything you need to know about the controversial treatment

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Mitochondrial replacement therapy, which creates three-parent babies, involves a portion of the childs DNA comingfrom their mother, father and a third person an egg donor.

The technique lets women with genetic diseases to give birth to genetically-related children, without needing to worry about the disease.

During treatment, the embryo receives the usual DNA from the mother and father, as well as a small amount of healthy DNA from a female donor.

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Parts of the cell called mitochondria only hold around 0.1 per cent of a persons DNA, with no influence over individual characteristics such as appearance and personality.

The mitochondria are separate from the DNA in the cell nucleus, where the vast majority of an individuals genes are housed.

But women with mitochondrial disease risk passing serious conditions on to their children in spite of this.

Mitochondrial replacement involves removing these diseased mitochondria from the mother and substituting healthy versions from a donor.

The treatment can prevent babies from developing problems withwith muscle coordination, as well as autism, heart disease, diabetes, and other genetic issues.

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Although recent legislation gave this controversial fertility treatment the go-ahead, there currently arent any three-parent babies in the UK.

The first three-parent babies could be born in this country later this year after the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) granted scientists at the University of Newcastle a licenceto carry out the treatment.

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Scientists at the University of Newcastle, where the therapy was pioneered, submitted an application to the UKs fertility regulatorin December.

It was approved bythe Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), onthe 15th of the same month.

Doctors in Newcastle who developed the advanced form of IVF will now be the first to offer the procedure and have already appealed for donor eggs.

They hope to be able to help 25 women each year, and at the earliest thefirst three-parent child could be born by the end of 2017.

Sally Cheshire, HFEA chairperson, said of the licence being granted:Todays historic decision means that parents at very high risk of having a child with life-threatening mitochondrial disease may soon have the chance of a healthy, genetically related child.

This is life-changing for those families.

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Opponents have questioned its ethics and say it paves the way to creating designer babies.

David Clancy, from the faculty of health and medicine at the University of Lancaster, said the technique was currently imperfect.

As many as one in 30 women who receive the treatment could still give birth to a child with an inherited disease, he predicts.

The Roman Catholic Church also opposes the move, pointing out that it would involve the destruction of human embryos as part of the process, while the Church of England has said ethical concerns have not been sufficiently explored.

However,Robert Meadowcroft, head of Muscular Dystrophy UK, described it as a major step towards effective treatment for the 2,500 women in Britain affected.

He said: This pioneering technique could give women with mitochondrial disease the chance to have a healthy child, without the fear of passing on this condition which can lead to babies born with this condition having multiple disabilities and indeed life-limiting impairments.

Excerpt from:
What are three-parent babies, is the IVF treatment available on the ... - The Sun

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is an executive non-departmental public body of the Department of Health in the United Kingdom. It is a statutory body that regulates and inspects all clinics in the United Kingdom providing in vitro fertilisation (IVF), artificial insemination and the storage of human eggs, sperm or embryos. It also regulates human embryo research.

After the birth of Louise Brown, the world's first IVF baby, in 1978 there was inevitably some concern about the implications of this new technology. In 1982, the government formed a committee chaired by philosopher Mary Warnock to look into the issues and see what action needed to be taken.

Hundreds of interested individuals and organisations, including doctors, scientists and health organisations to patient and parent organisations and religious groups, gave evidence to the committee.

The final report has been much admired around the world for the depth and delicacy of its consideration of these very controversial and emotive issues.[citation needed]

In the years following the Warnock report,[1] proposals were brought forward by the government in the publication of a white paper Human Fertilisation and Embryology: A Framework for Legislation in 1987. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990[2] was drafted taking the report into account.

The 1990 Act provided for the establishment of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), an executive, non-departmental public body, the first statutory body of its type in the world. The HFEA is the independent regulator for IVF treatment and human embryo research and came into effect on 1 August 1991. The 1990 Act ensured the regulation, through licensing, of:

The Act also requires the HFEA keep a database of every IVF treatment carried out since that date and a database relating to all cycles and use of donated gametes (egg and sperm).

In 2001, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Research Purposes) Regulations 2001/188 extended the purposes for which embryo research could be licensed to include increasing knowledge about the development of embryos, increasing knowledge about serious disease, and enabling any such knowledge to be applied in developing treatments for serious disease.

This allows researchers to carry out embryonic stem cell research and therapeutic cloning providing that an HFEA Licence Committee considers the use of embryos necessary or desirable for one of these purposes of research.

The Human Reproductive Cloning Act 2001 was introduced to explicitly prohibit reproductive cloning in the UK.

In 2004, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (Disclosure of Donor Information) Regulations 2004/1511, enabled donor-conceived children to access the identity of their sperm, egg or embryo donor upon reaching the age of 18.

The Regulations were implemented on 1 April 2005 and any donor who donated sperm, eggs or embryos from that date onwards is, by law, identifiable. Since that date, any person born as a result of donation is entitled to request and receive the donors name and last known address, once they reach the age of 18.

The European Union Tissues and Cells Directives (EUTCD) introduced common safety and quality standards for human tissues and cells across the European Union (EU).

The purpose of the directives was to facilitate a safer and easier exchange of tissues and cells (including human eggs and sperm) between member states and to improve safety standards for European citizens. The EUTCD was adopted by the Council of Ministers on 2 March 2004 and published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 7 April 2004. Member States were obliged to comply with its provisions from 7 April 2006.

In 2005, the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee published a report on Human Reproductive Technologies and the Law.

This inquiry investigated the legislative framework provided by the 1990 Act and challenges presented by technological advance and recent changes in ethical and societal attitudes".

In light of the Committee's report, and legislative changes that had already been made, the Department of Health undertook a review of the 1990 Act. They then held a public consultation based on their review of the Act, and following this published a White Paper, Review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, within which Government presented its initial proposals to revise the legislation.

A Joint Committee of both houses scrutinised the Government's recommendations, and provided its views on what ought to be the final form of the Bill to be brought to parliament.

The Bill was finally brought to the House of Lords in November 2007, passing through the House of Commons through Spring and Autumn of 2008, and finally receiving Royal Assent on 13 November 2008. The HFE Act 2008 updates the law to ensure it is fit for purpose in the 21st century. It is divided into three parts:

The main new elements of the Act are:

The current statutory functions of the HFEA, as a regulator under the HFE Acts 1990 and 2008 and other legislation include:

Multiple pregnancy is the single biggest risk to patients and children born as a result of fertility treatment. Women undergoing IVF treatment are twenty times more likely to have a multiple birth than if they conceive naturally.

After carefully considering views from clinics, patients and professional bodies, the HFEA decided to set a maximum multiple birth rate that clinics should not exceed, which will be lowered each year. All clinics will have their own strategy setting out how they will lower the multiple birth rate in their clinic by identifying the patients for whom single embryo transfer is the most appropriate treatment. The HFEA aims to reduce multiple births from IVF treatment to 10% over a period of years.

Former Chairs include Professor Lisa Jardine, Walter Merricks, Shirley Harrison, Lord Richard Harries, Dame Suzi Leather, Baroness Ruth Deech and Colin Campbell.

Other notable former members include Professor Emily Jackson.

Excerpt from:
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority - Wikipedia

We are all familiar with the process of adopting children, but what about the idea of adopting embryos? There are a number of embryo adoption agencies in the US and the first, Snowflakes, began its embryo adoption programme twenty years ago. New Zealand also operates a form of embryo adoption. Having just completed a study looking at the experiences of people using Snowflakes, I am interested in asking whether we should follow this lead and have embryo adoption in the UK.

When people have in vitro fertilisation (IVF) for fertility problems, eggs and sperm are fertilised in a petri dish to create embryos and these can be used in their treatment or frozen and stored to use later. Often couples end their fertility treatment with unused embryos in storage, and one option is to donate them to others to start a family. Currently, when a couple in the UK donate their embryo, they usually have no say in who receives it, and there is no contact between the donors and potential recipients.

Embryo adoption is different. In embryo adoption programmes donors can choose who receives their embryo. Donors are given information about potential recipients by the agency, which can include details about their religious beliefs, education, interests and family life. Also, if the donors and recipients are agreeable, they can arrange contact with each other after the child is born. We have done two studies on the experiences of people using Snowflakes embryo adoption agency in the US. We found that the donors felt a sense of responsibility towards their embryos and wanted to make sure they went to a good home. Both donors and recipients thought that being open with their children about their origins was important. There was also a desire to share information about the children and keep in contact with each other, and some donors and recipient couples had met face-to-face. On the whole, the people in our study were happy with the amount and type of contact they had. In cases where the contact did not involve the children, it was seen as a way of keeping the channels open in case the children wanted to make contact with their embryo donors in the future.

In the UK, there are no embryo adoption programmes but legally, there is nothing preventing clinics from starting them. At the moment, if a couple know someone with an embryo to donate, they can ask a clinic if they can use that particular embryo - you can donate to someone you know. Also, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), who regulate fertility treatment in the UK, says that donors can put extra conditions on how they want their eggs, sperm or embryos stored or used, which, theoretically at least, gives the donors some potential say in choosing who gets their embryo.

So should clinics start embryo adoption programmes in the UK?

Embryo adoption has been controversial in the US. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has argued that applying similar adoption procedures used for existing children to embryos is unwarranted because, in their view, embryos are not people and therefore recipients do not require such detailed vetting procedures. From this perspective, embryo donation should be seen as a medical procedure rather than being seen as a form of child adoption. However, whatever your view of the status of the embryo, it is not unreasonable to allow for the fact that some donors might have an interest in who receives their embryos.

A problem arises, though, if potential donors want to impose discriminatory conditions on who should receive their embryo. For example, saying that they did not want their embryos to go to a lesbian couple. Clinics have to abide by the Equality Act and could not discriminate on certain grounds such as gender and sexuality. How clinics should monitor such choices is a difficult question, but one solution would be to counsel people with embryos to encourage choices that are not illegally discriminating.

Finally, there could be practical difficulties regarding organisational arrangements and the associated costs involved. However, if there was sufficient demand for an embryo adoption programme, such practical difficulties could be overcome.

So should we have embryo adoption in the UK? Without any evidence to suggest embryo adoption is harmful, there is no reason why this should not be offered. In New Zealand such programmes are mandatory, but my view is people should be given a choice. Embryo adoption could operate alongside, rather than replace, existing embryo donation programmes. Embryo adoption could give those who wanted it the opportunity to choose who they donate to and to have contact with them while the child is growing up.

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Should We Adopt Embryos? - HuffPost UK