For Dina Radenkovic, co-founder and CEO of Gameto, the phrase “building your company is like raising a baby” took on a profound new meaning. On December 7, the world’s first baby conceived using Fertilo, Gameto’s groundbreaking IVF technology, was born in Peru.
“Something that started from a primitive deck in my first New York apartment to an actual baby—it’s a huge emotional journey,” Radenkovic reflected.
Since its inception in 1978, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) has been transformative for reproductive medicine, but the process remains physically demanding, costly, and emotionally taxing. Patients often endure 10-14 days of hormone injections, with side effects ranging from nausea to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Despite the effort and expense—IVF costs typically range from $3,000 to $5,000 per cycle in the U.S.—success rates remain far from guaranteed, especially for women over 35.
Gameto’s Vision: A Faster, Less Invasive IVF
These challenges inspired Radenkovic, a physician with experience in clinical research, and serial entrepreneur Martin Varsavsky to launch Gameto in 2021. Their mission: to make IVF safer, more accessible, and far less grueling. Backed by $73 million in funding, including a recent $33 million Series B led by Two Sigma Ventures, Gameto is tackling the $25 billion global IVF market with its innovative product, Fertilo.
Working with Harvard’s Wyss Institute, Gameto leveraged cell engineering to develop a synthetic ovary platform that matures eggs outside the body. This breakthrough reduces hormone injections by 80% and shortens treatment to just two or three days, offering patients a gentler and more cost-effective IVF process.
“Fertilo could make all the difference between access to care and no access,” says Dr. Brian Levine, practice director at New York’s CCRM Fertility. By limiting hormonal stimulation, Fertilo not only alleviates discomfort but also helps lower costs and logistical barriers, especially for those who must travel or take time off work for treatment.
A Growing Impact and Global Expansion
Clinical trials and rigorous testing have validated the technology’s safety and efficacy, with regulators in six countries approving Fertilo. It is now commercially available in Australia, Mexico, Argentina, and Peru, with Japan and Paraguay next on the horizon. Gameto has also partnered with IVFAustralia, part of Virtus Health Group, to scale operations in Australia.
Currently, Fertilo has supported around ten active pregnancies, including one set of twins, marking a promising future for the technology. In the U.S., Gameto is preparing for Phase 3 clinical trials in 2025 as it works toward FDA approval.
For Radenkovic, the milestone of the first Fertilo baby is just the beginning. “We’ve been laser-focused on execution,” she says. “I believe great science can be built in great companies. That’s why I went into healthcare—to have a positive impact and build a great business.”
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