Conceivable raises $50M to automate IVF with AI-powered robots

Conceivable Life Sciences has secured $50 million in Series A funding to bring AI-driven automation and robotic precision to in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. The funding, led by ARTIS Ventures, Stride, and ACME Ventures, will help commercialize the company’s Aura platform, which aims to reduce the manual inconsistencies and high failure rates that plague current IVF workflows.

Why this matters: IVF cycles cost between $12,000 to $25,000 in the United States, with many families requiring multiple attempts for success, making process improvements potentially life-changing for thousands of prospective parents.

How the technology works: Conceivable’s Aura platform uses AI algorithms integrated with robotic hardware to automate the entire IVF workflow with unprecedented precision.

• The system handles everything from dish preparation and sperm preparation to egg retrieval, fertilization, and incubation processes.
• An initial study using the platform resulted in 18 healthy babies, with a larger study of nearly 120 participants expected to complete by year-end.
• The company plans to commercially launch Aura in early 2025.

What they’re saying: Co-founder Dr. Alejandro Chavez-Badiola, a reproductive endocrinologist, emphasized the transformative potential of consistent outcomes.

• “His goal is to bring consistent outcomes and the best of modern technology to truly help patients,” according to the company.
• The platform aims to “reduce some of the uncertainty and unpredictability that is normally involved in the otherwise very manual process.”

Competitive landscape: The AI-powered fertility space is heating up with multiple players targeting different aspects of reproductive healthcare.

• Nova IVF recently introduced an AI-powered embryo assessment tool for evaluating embryo viability.
• SpOvum Technologies is pioneering new techniques for sperm injection into eggs.
• Adjacent solutions include ovulation monitoring apps, fertility trackers, and specialized wearables, though Conceivable differentiates itself by targeting the entire workflow rather than point solutions.

Market opportunity: The global fertility market presents massive growth potential as demand for reproductive technology accelerates.

• The fertility market is projected to reach nearly $87 billion by 2034.
• Employee utilization of company-provided fertility benefits is expected to increase by 7% by decade’s end.
• Nearly 40% of large employers now offer fertility benefits, indicating growing mainstream acceptance and support.