TÜBİTAK support for Assoc. Prof. Karabulut’s patented technology for IVF treatments

The patented APB-TECH technology, developed for in vitro fertilization treatments by Assoc. Prof. Seda Karabulut, a faculty member at Istanbul Medipol University School of International Medicine, has reached an important milestone on its journey from the laboratory to a commercial product. The project, which aims to license and commercialize the technology designed to facilitate the selection of healthy and viable sperm for injection into the egg during in vitro fertilization treatment, has been awarded support under the TÜBİTAK 1702 Patent-Based Technology Transfer Support Call.

The patented technology in the field of “Development of a Kit Using the APB Technique for the Elimination of Apoptotic Sperm in In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)” is based on a novel sperm selection method developed for use in assisted reproductive treatments. In the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) method used in in vitro fertilization treatment, the embryologist selects the sperm to be injected into the egg cell. APB-TECH aims to support this selection process by helping healthy and viable sperm to be distinguished more easily from others.

Although characteristics such as sperm count, motility, and morphology are important in sperm selection, the health and viability of the cell are also significant for embryo development. APB-TECH aims to help embryologists take into account not only the external appearance and motility of the sperm, but also biological characteristics related to cellular health.

IT AIMS TO FACILITATE THE SELECTION OF HEALTHY SPERM
At the core of APB-TECH is a method that facilitates the identification of unhealthy sperm that have entered the process of cellular death. Specially prepared microscopic beads are used for this purpose. These beads recognize changes that occur in sperm undergoing cellular death and help these cells to be distinguished under a microscope. This enables the embryologist to identify healthy and viable sperm more easily and use this information when selecting the sperm to be injected into the egg.

Another important feature of the method is that it has been developed for use with microscopes already available in existing in vitro fertilization laboratories. This is intended to reduce the need for additional, high-cost equipment. The aim is to provide a practical method that can support healthy embryo development by helping to select more suitable sperm.

THE PATENTED TECHNOLOGY WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO INDUSTRY
With the project supported under TÜBİTAK 1702, APB-TECH is intended to be transferred to industry and transformed into a tangible product for use in the field of health technologies. Within the scope of the project, the technology will be licensed, commercialized, and brought into practical use by Optimas Medical Products Industry and Trade Limited Company.

The process, which began with support from the TÜBİTAK 1005 Program, is thus entering a new phase through international scientific publications, patents granted in Türkiye and the United States, and technology transfer to be carried out with TÜBİTAK 1702 support. At the conclusion of the process, APB-TECH is intended to be introduced into clinical practice and the field of health technologies.