Why Conceivable’s AI-Powered Automation of the IVF Lab Succeeds Where Others Have Failed
The IVF industry faces a growing crisis: as demand for fertility treatments surges, many labs are struggling to keep pace. High operational costs, labor-intensive processes, and variable success rates pose significant challenges. Despite billions in investment and years of innovation, the dream of a fully automated IVF lab has remained elusive.
Several attempts to automate the intricate processes of in vitro fertilization have faltered. Even top-tier venture-backed initiatives have failed to deliver scalable, cost-effective solutions that maintain or improve patient outcomes. But as the need for more accessible and efficient IVF services grows, one company believes it has cracked the code.
Enter Conceivable Life Sciences and its groundbreaking automated IVF lab: AURA. Recently moved from its R&D center to its first operational customer, Hope IVF in Mexico City, AURA promises to revolutionize fertility care by addressing the very challenges that have stymied others.
Conceivable Life Sciences announces: The In Vitro Possible
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“Good Artists Copy, Great Artists Steal”
Conceivable CEO Alan Murray attributes their success to a principle from complexity science called "The Adjacent Possible." By combining existing technologies in a novel way, Conceivable has created a transformative solution.
“The Adjacent Possible is about ‘stringing the pearls’—unlocking new possibilities by building on what already exists,” says Murray. “We didn’t invent AI, robotics, or machine vision—but we’ve orchestrated them in a way that’s never been done before, enabling a seismic shift in how IVF is performed.”
Conceivable Chairman Joshua Abram likens the approach to Apple’s innovation with the iPhone. “Steve Jobs didn’t invent the phone, touchscreen, or MP3 player—but he changed the world by combining them into something transformative,” Abram explains. “AURA is IVF’s iPhone moment. We’ve borrowed the best technologies, from precision robotics used in chip manufacturing to cutting-edge optics, and reimagined them for the IVF lab.” “Steve Jobs said, ‘Good artists copy, great artists steal’ and we stole from the best,” says Abram.
IRB Study Yields 22 Pregnancies
AURA integrates AI, robotics, and advanced optics to automate hundreds of manual processes, including egg discovery, sperm preparation, ICSI, incubation, and embryo vitrification. Early results are promising. An initial Institutional Review Board (IRB) study yielded 22 pregnancies and laboratory key performance indicators (KPIs) comparable to the world’s leading fertility clinics.
In addition to improving outcomes, AURA offers economic advantages. Conceivable claims that automation reduces both capital expenditures (CapEx) and operational expenditures (OpEx), enabling fertility clinics to adopt disruptive pricing models and expand access to care.
Democratizing IVF, Lowering CapEx, OpEx
By automating the IVF lab, Conceivable aims to democratize fertility care, making it accessible to a wider population while maintaining high-quality outcomes. If successful, AURA could set the stage for a new era of innovation and accessibility in reproductive health.
For Conceivable co-founder and Chief Product Officer Alejandro Chavez-Badiola, MD, AURA’s impact extends beyond infertility. “When we scale IVF, we’re not just addressing infertility,” he says. “We’re creating solutions for the LGBTQ community, families screening for genetic diseases, and those suffering from habitual miscarriage. The potential applications are enormous and urgent.”
Conceivable Life Sciences announces: The In Vitro Possible
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