Agnès Arbat of Oxolife Awarded EU Women Innovators Prize for Contributions to Fertility Biotechnology

Agnès Arbat of Oxolife Receives EU Women Innovators Prize

In a significant recognition of her contributions to the field of biotechnology, Agnès Arbat, CEO of Oxolife, was awarded the prestigious EU Women Innovators Prize at the European Innovation Council (EIC) Summit, which took place in Brussels on April 3, 2025. This honor celebrates women leaders who have made notable impacts in innovation and entrepreneurship across the EU and Horizon Europe countries.

Oxolife is dedicated to addressing female fertility issues, particularly through advancements in assisted reproductive technology (ART). The biotech firm focuses on increasing live birth rates by improving embryo implantation processes. Agnès' leadership has been pivotal in steering the company towards new heights in fertility treatments.

During her acceptance speech, Agnès expressed her gratitude, stating, "I am deeply honored to receive this award among such an inspiring group of women innovators who are pushing boundaries and making a real impact. At Oxolife, we are advancing our lead candidate to improve fertility, which is a cause that resonates deeply with me. This recognition is especially rewarding due to the dedicated efforts of my team, advisors, and investors."

The EU Women Innovators Prize not only includes the accolade itself but carries a monetary reward of €100,000, aimed at facilitating further innovations in the winner's respective field. Agnès' commitment to improving women's health was acknowledged by Sara Secall, General Partner at Inveready, who stated, "This is a well-deserved recognition for Agnès and the entire team at Oxolife. Women's health remains a significantly underserved area in medicine, and it's vital that we continue advancing solutions in this space."

Agnès Arbat brings with her over two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical sector. She co-founded Oxolife in 2013 and has been the driving force behind its clinical developments. Before her tenure at Oxolife, she was responsible for leading the Women's Health and Cardiovascular medical team at Bayer, as well as holding positions at Organon in Medical Affairs focusing on women's health.

Under her leadership, Oxolife has developed OXO-001, a groundbreaking non-hormonal oral tablet designed to enhance and streamline the embryo implantation process, marking a significant innovation in reproductive medicine. OXO-001 is the first of its kind to directly act on the endometrium, dramatically increasing the chances of successful embryo implantation and subsequent live births in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

The drug has already successfully concluded Phase 2 studies for its primary use in embryo implantation, with plans to explore its efficacy in treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a condition that often impedes fertility. Agnès has outlined her vision for Oxolife, emphasizing the company’s focus on addressing the growing global infertility market, which is expected to reach a staggering $45.4 billion by 2029.

As fertility rates decline globally, Oxolife is committed to accelerating the development of OXO-001 and is actively seeking partnerships to expedite its availability to patients who need it most. Agnès Arbat’s recognition is not just a personal triumph, but a victory for advancing the discourse on women's health and innovation in fertility treatments.

Conclusion

The award of the EU Women Innovators Prize to Agnès Arbat stands as a testament to her extraordinary contributions to the field of biotechnology. Her work not only enhances the realm of reproductive medicine but also champions the broader narrative of empowering women in science and innovation. As Oxolife continues to break ground in fertility treatments, it paves the way for a future where women’s health issues receive the attention and expertise they rightfully deserve.