Human Blastoid-Based Platform for Post-Implantation IVF Optimization and Therapeutic Screening
| Title | Human Blastoid-Based Platform for Post-Implantation IVF Optimization and Therapeutic Screening |
|---|---|
| Acronym | BLASTOID-FERTILITY |
| Website | www.blastoid.org |
| Start date | 2026-04-02 |
| End date | 2028-07-05 |
| Sponsor | European Research Council - Proof of Concept (ERC-PoC) |
| Institution | Institute of Molecular Biotechnology |
Associated cell lines
Project Description
Since the first successful IVF birth in 1978, the technology has become a cornerstone of assisted reproduction, driven by the trend toward delayed parenthood. While IVF now accounts for roughly 5% of births in Europe, its overall efficiency remains low, with only about 25% of cycles resulting in a live birth. A major bottleneck is the high rate of failure during implantation. Due to the limited availability of human embryos and ethical restrictions, IVF optimization has historically relied on mouse models. However, while pre-implantation development is similar between mice and humans, their post-implantation trajectories diverge significantly, limiting their translational relevance. This highlights the urgent need for a reliable, ethical, and predictive model of early human development after implantation. Under the ERC-CoG program, we developed human blastoids, blastocyst-like structures that accurately mimic key features of pre-implantation human embryogenesis. Our more recent advances extend this modeling framework to post-implantation stages up to embryonic day 11, creating a powerful and predictive experimental platform. The present ERC-PoC project will translate this platform into a pre-commercial application by screening compounds to improve IVF outcomes. Our expected deliverables include: (i) a validated blastoid-based screening platform for modelling post-implantation stages, (ii) patented natural compounds with therapeutic potential for IVF, and (iii) a business and IP framework for investors, partners, and funding bodies.