Univfy's Groundbreaking AI Study in Nature Communications Validates IVF Predictions to Enhance Accessibility
Univfy's AI Breakthrough in Predicting IVF Live Births
Univfy, a pioneering company in fertility and health artificial intelligence (AI), recently announced a significant achievement with the publication of a peer-reviewed study in the prestigious journal, Nature Communications. This study illustrates that Univfy's AI and machine learning (ML) platform exhibits a remarkable superiority in predicting live birth rates following in vitro fertilization (IVF), thereby offering crucial advancements in the accessibility and affordability of these fertility treatments.
Key Findings of the Study
The research highlights that Univfy's predictive models for live births outperform those based on U.S. national registries. The study employed critical model metrics that bolster the case for improved access to IVF, making it more financially viable and clinically successful. Specifically, titled Machine learning center-specific models show improved live birth predictions over US national registry-based model, it demonstrated that Univfy's models achieved significant enhancements in both precision and recall measurements, such as the F1 score and precision-recall area under the curve (PR AUC).
To put this in perspective, from a pool of 4,645 patients across six IVF centers analyzed in the study, Univfy's models accurately predicted that 76% had a greater than 50% chance of a live birth following their first IVF cycle. Notably, 23% of patients who had a predicted probability of 50% or higher from Univfy were assessed to have lower probabilities by the national model. Furthermore, the platform successfully identified 11% of patients who had a likelihood exceeding 75%, a stark contrast to the national model, which did not attribute such high probabilities to any of the examined patients.
Implications for the Future of IVF
This publication not only marks a pivotal moment for Univfy but also reflects the scientific rigor underpinning their AI/ML platform. It signals the potential for economic solutions, particularly in value-based IVF care that enhances accessibility. Dr. Mylene Yao, CEO and co-founder of Univfy, emphasized the significance of their research, stating, "Our platform aims to improve patient-centered care, especially in providing prognostic counseling for IVF. By facilitating greater transparency in costs and success rates associated with IVF, we aim to help more women and couples access affordable fertility solutions to start families."
The benefits of these findings extend beyond patients to various stakeholders: improving transparency and outcomes for patients, enhancing counseling quality for healthcare providers, and supporting insurance companies by expanding IVF coverage while ensuring cost efficiency.
About Univfy
Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Univfy is a Series B company dedicated to enhancing the success, access, and affordability of IVF treatments. Developed by Stanford University researchers, Univfy's exclusive AI/ML platform provides precise, validated predictions of a patient's likelihood of having a baby through IVF. This aids patients in making informed decisions regarding their treatment options while allowing providers to implement scalable value-based pricing, making IVF more attainable.
With solutions deployed in the U.S., U.K., and EU, Univfy operates under a B2B model, assisting healthcare providers with patient counseling, clinical analytics, and business analysis, including customer relationship management tools. The company’s technology, products, and AI/ML platform are protected by a robust portfolio of intellectual property rights.
The Global IVF Market
Infertility affects approximately one in six individuals of reproductive age, equating to over 200 million people globally. This backdrop establishes a backdrop for a burgeoning IVF market, projected to experience substantial growth, with estimates of the market’s value reaching approximately $25 billion in 2023 and expected to grow to $44 billion by 2033. However, barriers such as high costs, lack of insurance coverage, and uncertainty in outcomes hinder many individuals from pursuing IVF treatments.
In summary, Univfy's results pave the way for more transparent, effective, and affordable IVF treatment options, a critical step toward addressing the increasing demand for fertility assistance in a global context.