Market Challenge - High cost of IVF treatments

Global donor egg IVF (in-vitro fertilization) market growth can be hampered due to high cost associated with IVF treatments. IVF procedures are generally expensive, ranging anywhere between US$ 12,000 to US$ 15,000 per cycle in many developed markets of North America and Western Europe. The cost includes expenses related to egg retrieval from donors, laboratory procedures for fertilization and embryo transfer, fertility drugs for stimulation and monitoring of cycles. IVF success rates for single cycle are around 30%, thus, requiring multiple cycles for many patients to achieve pregnancy, and this further increases the overall treatment expenses. The financial burden deters many hopeful parents who struggle to afford expensive fertility treatments. Additional costs are incurred if intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is required or frozen embryo transfers are included. The high cost act as a growth barrier especially in developing markets where per capita incomes are relatively lower.

Market Opportunity: Emerging markets in developing economies

Global donor egg IVF (in-vitro fertilization) market witness huge opportunity from emerging fertility tourism industry of developing economies. Countries like India, Thailand, Czech Republic, and Mexico have emerged as popular medical tourism destinations for fertility treatments including IVF and egg donation due to significantly lower treatment costs. The treatment expenses for a complete IVF cycle can be as less as one-third of the costs in developed regions. This cost advantage along with world-class fertility clinics practicing latest assisted reproduction techniques has boosted medical tourism arrivals. Thousands of international patients travel to these developing markets every year seeking affordable fertility solutions. Emerging markets provide immense scope for IVF service providers and donor egg banks to expand their share through partnerships with local clinics.