Ferring’s novel human recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (human rFSH) Rekovelle has now been launched across the UK for use in controlled ovarian stimulation.
The drug is intended to support the development of multiple follicles in women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle.
Rekovelle (follitropin delta) won European approval back in December last year as the first rFSH to be derived from a human cell line and the first rFSH treatment to be administered with an individualised dosing regimen, based on a woman’s serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level – a biomarker for assessing ovarian reserve – and body weight.
These parameters are used to calculate a specific daily dose of the drug for each patient at the start of the ART cycle, thus reducing the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation, which, in the most extreme cases, can lead to death.
Around 3.5 million people suffer from infertility in the UK, with 2.75 percent and 1.93 percent suffering from poor or excessive response, respectively, following controlled ovarian stimulation of cycles.
“Currently there is an unmet need for effective fertility treatment that is tailored towards avoiding poor or excessive response during controlled ovarian stimulation, in a scientifically robust way,” noted Mr Stuart Lavery, consultant gynaecologist.
