OBE001 Antagonist for Embryo Implantation and Uterine Contraction Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Improving implantation rates of transferred embryos remains a major challenge in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), particularly due to elevated uterine contractility during the early luteal phase, which negatively impacts pregnancy rates.

Innovation Solution

Administering an oxytocin receptor antagonist, specifically OBE001, at the receptive endometrium stage when the embryo is at the blastocyst stage, to reduce uterine contractions and enhance implantation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If embryo transfer is performed during controlled ovarian stimulation, then assisted reproduction can be achieved, but uterine contractility increases and implantation rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplantation rateVSAvoiduterine contractility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The oxytocin receptor antagonist is administered before embryo transfer to preemptively counteract the harmful uterine contractions that would otherwise occur during the procedure. This preliminary anti-action prevents the contraction problem before it can negatively impact implantation, allowing the embryo transfer to proceed successfully without the detrimental effects of uterine contractility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The oxytocin receptor antagonist acts as an intermediary substance that blocks the interaction between oxytocin and its receptors in the uterine muscle. By introducing this mediator, the harmful signal transmission that causes uterine contractions is interrupted, thereby protecting the embryo transfer process from the negative effects of contractility while maintaining the overall IVF procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If oxytocin receptor antagonist is administered to reduce uterine contractions, then implantation rate increases, but treatment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplantation rateVSAvoidtreatment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the pharmacological parameter of the treatment by introducing an oxytocin receptor antagonist that specifically targets uterine contractility. This parameter change allows for reduction of harmful contractions without fundamentally altering the overall IVF protocol, thereby improving implantation rates while adding only a single pharmacological agent to the existing treatment regimen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Significantly increases ongoing implantation, pregnancy, and live birth rates by synchronizing the endometrium and embryo stages for successful implantation.

Implementation Method 1

an oxytocin receptor antagonist for use in increasing ongoing implantation rate... the antagonists are released in the luteal phase when the endometrium is receptive for embryo implantation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReceptor antagonism:

Data Source

PatentEP3501533B1OBE001 for use in the treatment in implantation and pregnancy in women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies

Publication Date: 2025.07.09 FERRING BV

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AI summary

The present invention relates to the use of an oxytocin receptor antagonist in females undergoing an assisted reproductive technology. Specifically, the antagonists are released in the luteal phase when the endometrium is receptive for embryo implantation.