Company Symposia

Company Symposium organised by INTI LABS

Session title: The Development, Validation, and Clinical Use of Non-Invasive Endometrial Receptivity Test

Date: Friday, 8 September 2023

Time: 1050 - 1220

Join Inti Labs for a conversation on the development and clinical use of ora™, the first non-invasive test for optimizing implantation timing. Inti Labs’ CEO Eric Pok Yang, PhD will be discussing the miRNA technology underpinning ora™, how it enables a purely blood-based receptivity analysis, and the clinical studies used to build its algorithm. Dr. Navdeep Singh Pannu of TMC Fertility will share his first-hand experience using ora™, as well as recommendations for identifying patients that can benefit from endometrial receptivity testing.

Outline: 

1. miRNA Technology Underpinning ORA™
   Speaker:  Eric Yang (Taiwan)
2. First-Hand Experience With ORA™. Use of Endometrial Receptivity Tests in a Clinical Setting
   Speaker: Navdeep Singh Pannu (Malaysia)

Speakers:

Eric Yang

Dr. Eric P Yang (aka Pok), is a trained molecular biologist, specializing in the intricacies of small RNAs. A veteran entrepreneur with a passion for building resonant brands, Pok has a knack for putting his finger on the pulse of trends, regardless of industry. Following his post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard University, Pok has returned to his molecular biology roots more than a decade ago, primarily focusing his entrepreneurial endeavours in biomarker research and discovery, diagnostics, and medical devices.

Navdeep Singh

Dr. Navdeep Singh Pannu is a Consultant Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, and Fertility specialist at TMC Fertility Centre. Previously attached to General Hospitals in Klang, Seremban, and Sungai Buloh, Dr. Navdeep is currently the Medical Director of TMC Fertility and is practicing at TMC Fertility and Women’s Specialist Centre, Puchong.

He obtained his specialist training at University of Malaya (Master’s Degree) and in the United Kingdom where he was awarded the Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG). He trained in Laparoscopic Surgery in India and obtained a Fellowship and Diploma in Minimal Access Surgery.

Dr Navdeep also attended a course at The National University of Singapore for Assisted Reproductive Techniques. He is a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine and World Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons and joined the Academy of Medicine.

Company Symposium organised by Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Session title: Science and ART: Expert Perspectives and Real-World Evidence

Date: Friday, 8 September 2023

Time: 1350 - 1520

Outline:

Chairs: Louise Hull (Australia) & Vuong Thi Ngoc Lan (Vietnam)

1. PGT: Historical Review and Future Perspectives
   Speaker: Jason Franasiak (USA)
2. Balancing Science and ART: Optimizing Treatment Across a Diversity of Patients
   Speaker: Scott Nelson (United Kingdom)
3. Evolving the Real-world practice under new NHI policy: The Japanese perspective
   Speaker: Koichi Kyono (Japan)

Chairs:

Louise Hull

Professor M. Louise Hull leads the Endometriosis Group and the Fertility and Conception Theme at the Robinson Research Institute and is the Deputy Head of Department, University of Adelaide. Her group specialises in the applications of digital technology to health promotion and delivery for people with endometriosis, microRNA technology, Genomics, reproductive immunology and novel mouse methods. Professor Hull publishes widely, presents at international conferences, supervises PhD students and teaches reproductive medicine to medical students, registrars and fellows. 

She is currently the Written Exam Chair for the Certificate in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI) subspeciality for RANZCOG and the President of the ANZCREI society. Louise is also a Medical Advisory Board for Aspire and the Chair of the local organising committee for ASPIRE’s annual meeting in 2023 in Adelaide. She is a member of FIGO’s Reproductive medicine international committee. She has developed many reproductive medicine and endometriosis consensus statements, and educational programs for Australia and New Zealand, the Asia Pacific and for the global FIGO group.

Professor Hull is the owner and Medical Director of the Embrace Fertility Clinic in Adelaide. Dr Hull also sees reproductive medicine patients at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide.

Vuong Thi Ngoc Lan

Dr. Vuong is a lecturer and gynecologist from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She was one of the pioneers of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in Vietnam, starting in 1997. Dr Vuong is currently Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. 

Her areas of research activity include ovulation induction in low body weight patients, ovarian stimulation in low response patients, ovarian reserve, in-vitro oocyte maturation (IVM), frozen embryo transfer.

Dr. Vuong has authored more than 90 publications in international scientific journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, Human Reproduction, and Fertility & Sterility... and has been an invited speaker at several regional and international meetings.

Speakers:

Jason Franasiak

Dr. Jason Franasiak, MD, FACOG, HCLD/ALD (ABB) is an attending physician at Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey where he serves as lead physician and laboratory director of the embryology and andrology labs at the Marlton office, Assistant Professor at Thomas Jefferson University in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Associate Professor at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Clinical Assistant Professor at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, and Medical Director for the Liberty Corner Ambulatory Surgical Center at Marlton.

Scott Nelson

Professor Scott Nelson is the Muirhead Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Glasgow. In addition to this esteemed position, he holds several other roles of note including Scientific Director of The Fertility Partnership, Medical Director of Access Fertility and a visiting Professor at the University of Bristol.  

Professor Nelson received his science and medical degrees from the University of Glasgow in 1994 and 1997 respectively, and in 2003, he obtained his PhD from the University of Dundee.

Koichi Kyono

Dr. Koichi Kyono is the president and CEO of the Human Ovarian-tissue Preservation Enterprise (HOPE) in Tokyo and three Kyono ART Clinics located throughout Japan.  Dr. Kyono received his medical degree from Fukushima Medical College in 1978 followed by his PhD in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Tohoku University in 1985.

Throughout his career, Dr. Kyono has made notable contributions to the progress of reproductive medicine in Japan. As well as being a part of the team which successfully delivered the first IVF baby in Japan in 1983, Kyono achieved a significant milestone in 2001 by delivering the first baby conceived from frozen-thawed oocytes through a slow-freezing technique in Japan.

Company Symposium organised by Organon Asia Pacific Services

Session title: Freeze all - The Future or Just a Fad

Date: Friday, 8 September 2023

Time: 1520 - 1650

In this symposium we look at why freeze all protocol is increasing globally.  With the inception of the GnRH agonist trigger replacing the traditional hCG trigger and the deliberate uncoupling of the stimulation and the embryo transfer. We initially saw this protocol used to avoid OHSS, late follicular progesterone rises or asynchrony of the endometrium. Stimulation protocols have now evolved to take further advantage of this protocol to maximise oocyte yield with GnRH agonist trigger and freeze all, with the latest evidence suggesting stimulating a patient with higher gonadotropin doses does not increase the aneuploidy, with each additional oocyte adding to the cumulative live birth rate.  We will look at the latest evidence of fresh vs frozen embryo transfer and the emerging science with the frozen embryo transfer protocol.

If you are trying to maximise your oocyte yield, you want a gonadotropin that is efficacious and efficient at recruiting the available antral follicles for that menstrual cycle. Corifollitropin alfa has a unique pharmacokinetic profile that allows it to stimulate and maintain follicular growth for 7 days, however due to it reaching its Cmax with 2 days it has a higher follicular output rate (FORT) than daily gonadotropins (Griesinger 2017).  We also see this trend continue with a higher number of oocytes retrieved with corifollitropin alfa compared to daily gonadotropins in the corifollitropin alfa registration studies.  With every oocyte adding to the cumulative live birth rate, coupled with the fact that one injection replaces 7, this potentially makes corifollitropin alfa the ideal gonadotropin in these new freeze all protocols.

Outline:

1. Welcome
   Speaker: Robert Norman (Australia)
2. Fresh vs Frozen - What Does the Evidence Tell Us?
   Speaker: Rong Li (China)
3. What Attributes Should a Gonadotropin Have in a Freeze All Setting
   Speaker: Hsien-Ming Wu (Taiwan)
4. Q&A
   Speaker: Robert Norman (Australia)

Chair:

Robert Norman

Robert Norman holds a personal chair as Professor for Reproductive and Periconceptual Medicine at the University of Adelaide and is a subspecialist in reproductive medicine (CREI) and in endocrine biochemistry (FRCPA). He was Director of the Robinson Research Institute at the University of Adelaide from 2008 to 2013, a collection of 60 Research Leaders in reproductive health and regenerative medicine, with more than 450 members. 

Speakers:

Rong Li

Prof. Li is serving as the Chairman, Reproductive medicine branch, China International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care, CPAM, Vice chairman, Reproductive Medicine Professional Committee of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, CARM, and the Director for Reproductive Medical Center, Peking University Third Hospital. She specializes in clinical treatment, education and medical researches within the fields of Obstetrics and Gynecology with research directions on reproductive medicine, female fertility evaluation, endometrial receptivity and PCOS. She published more than 150 SCI articles in medical journals, including Cell, Nature, Lancet, JAMA, et al.

Hsien-Ming Wu

Hsien-Ming Wu received M.D. degree from Taipei Medical University in 1996. He received his PhD from the Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, Chang Gung University, Taiwan in 2009 for his thesis on Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) signalings in intrauterine tissues. He trained as a postdoctotoral research fellow in the University of British Columbia, Canada. He is presently working as an associate professor, clinician, teaching faculty, researcher and chief of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility in the Department of the Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taiwan.

Company Symposium organised by Merck Pte Ltd

Session title: Committed to the Future

Date: Saturday, 9 September 2023

Time: 1315 - 1445

Outline:

Chair: Daniel Lantsberg (Australia)

1. Taking a Closer Look: How FSH Biological Differences Could Impact Clinical Effectiveness and Safety
   Speaker: Monica Lispi (Germany)
2. RWE – A Focus on Gonadotropins
   Speaker: Richa Jagtap (India)
3. When RCT’s Are Not Enough – Understanding the Value of RWE
   Speaker: Jui-Chun Chang (Taiwan)

Chair:

Daniel Lantsberg

Dr. Daniel Lantsberg is a consultant gynaecologist specializing in reproductive endocrinology. He graduated with honors (Cum Laude) from Ben Gurion University medical school in Israel in 2008 and completed his certification with distinction at Sheba medical center, renowned as one of the top ten hospitals worldwide. Dr. Lantsberg has practiced as a fertility specialist at Sheba medical center and Tel Aviv medical center, two leading Women's hospitals in Israel.

Speakers:

Monica Lispi 

Monica joined Serono for the first time in 1992, in “Biological and Control” working on products develop and characterization of the main Merck biotechnology products including Gonadotropins, Growth hormone, Interferon and other Cytokines. In the 2003 Monica was appointed Head of “Scientific Customer Service” Department in Serono and later leading “Chemical-physical & Biological Characterization of competitors’ products” and Global Scientific information service Merck-Serono. Finally, since 2009 she joined the Merck Fertility Medical Affairs department in Italy and at the present, she is Executive Medical Director Global Head Marketed Products, GMA Fertility. She is author of different publications on Gonadotropins mode of action, clinical and cost effectiveness.

Richa Jagtap

Dr. Richa Jagtap completed her M.B.B.S in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the L.T.M Medical College & L.T.M General Hospital in Mumbai. After graduating with a distinction, she pursued a Diploma in Obstetrics & Gynecology, followed by MD (Ob/Gyn) from Sir JJ Group of Hospitals and Grant Medical College. Later, she did her Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine and Endocrinology in Singapore and Germany.

Dr. Jagtap has 12 years of experience as a lead consultant and Reproductive Medicine Specialist. She is currently engaged full time as Co-Medical Director and Consultant in Reproductive Medicine at ART Fertility Clinics, Mumbai.

Jui Chun Chang

Jui-Chun Chang graduated from China Medical University College of Medicine and is currently pursuing her PhD at the Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. Jui-Chan received fellowship training and specialized on reproductive medicine at Taichung Veterans General Hospital. Presently, Jui-Chan is attending at Taichung Veterans General Hospital.

Company Symposium organised by Vitrolife Group

Session title: Clinical Experience of AI With Time-Lapse and Antioxidants in Culture Media; What Does the Evidence Say?

Date: Saturday, 9 September 2023

Time: 1530 - 1700

Outline:

Chair: David Gardner (Australia)

1. RCT - Does the Addition of Antioxidants in Culture Media Improve Clinical Outcomes?
   Speaker: Rebecca L Kelley (Australia)
2. Does AI in Time-Lapse Improve Embryo Evaluation Workflow?
   Speaker: Souichi Ogata (Japan)
3. Next Generation iDAScore 2.0: Recent Clinical Outcome From China
   Speaker: Hong Ye (China)
4. An Introduction to KaryoMap V2.0
   Speaker: Senthil Natesan (United Kingdom)

Chair:

David Gardner

David is a Pioneer in human IVF. He is a Distinguished Professor in the School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne and the Scientific Director of Melbourne IVF. He completed his PhD (1987) at the University of York, with Henry Leese. In 1988 he moved to Harvard Medical School to work with John Biggers, after which he moved to Monash, Australia, in 1989 to work with Alan Trounson. In 1997 became the Scientific Director of the Colorado Centre for Reproductive Medicine in Denver In 2007 he was appointed Professor at the University of Melbourne and promoted to the level of Distinguished Professor in 2018 and elected into the Australian Academy of Science in 2017.

Speakers:

Rebecca Kelley

Dr Rebecca Kelley is a researcher and embryologist at Melbourne IVF with over 15 years of experience in reproductive biology research. She has held positions at the Robinson Research Institute in Adelaide, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Melbourne. Dr Kelley received her PhD from the University of Melbourne in 2019 on the topic of stress during embryo culture. Her current work is focused on improving clinical IVF outcomes for parents through advances in embryology lab practices.

Souichi Ogata

Souichi completed the Ph.D. program in the department of developmental and cell biology in the University of California, Irvine.

Dr. Souichi Ogata is specialized in cell biology, molecular signaling and gene expression regulations. He has experienced both in the academic and pharmaceutical discovery research groups. Souichi joined Vitrolife group in 2019, where he is focused on the optimization of fertilization and development of human zygotes with technologies such as piezo-actuated sperm injection as well as control of oxidative stress during in vitro culture process.

Hong Ye

Professor Hong Ye is Chief of the Clinical Medicine Department of the Reproductive Medicine Center, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (Chongqing Maternal and Child Health Hospital). She is a Member of the Clinical Group of the Chinese Society of Reproductive Medicine and a member of the National Expert Pool for the Management of Assisted Reproductive Technology

Professor Ye is a standing Committee Member of the Environmental and Social Eugenics Branch of the China Eugenics Society and a standing Committee Member of the Assisted Reproductive Technology Monitoring and Assessment.

Senthil Natesan

Senthil Natesan obtained his PhD from the University of Cambridge, UK in 2005. Since joining BlueGnome (now Illumina), Cambridge as a senior scientist in 2011, he has played a leading role in the development of Karyomapping. Later he was involved in product development at Illumina especially in the reproductive genetic health area. After the Illumina-Vitrolife partnership for the PGT products in the IVF area, he joined the Vitrolife team to continue his contribution in product development and support of the PGT products.