Global Health Asia-Pacific September 2020 September 2020 | Page 19

Another state-of-the-art tool Alpha uses to select the
best embryos is pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT),
a technique that screens embryos and pinpoints those
that are genetically normal for transfer. This increases
success rates and reduces the risk of genetic mutations
that might affect newborns.
In order to preserve embryos until implantation is
viable, they are frozen with the use of C��OT�C freezing
technology, which ensures all the embryos survive the
thawing process and can be implanted. To date, more
than 5,000 embryos and blastocysts have been thawed
at Alpha, with a 100.00 percent survival rate.
At the same time, endometrial receptivity analysis
helps doctors figure out when the patient’s womb is
more likely to allow the implanted embryo to develop
successfully.
This synergy between a close-knit team of experts
and cutting-edge technology explains why Alpha can
boast a high IVF success rate of up to 82.9 percent and
is comparable if not better than other top fertility centres
around the world.
The centre has also rolled out the Saviour Sibling
�rogram (SS�) that offers a treatment option to children
affected by serious genetic diseases like thalassaemia,
a blood disorder that is passed down from parents to
offspring and could lead to anaemia whose symptoms
are severe tiredness, weakness, and shortness of breath.
Patients with the severe form of thalassaemia have to
receive regular blood transfusions, putting them at risk of
developing blood-borne diseases.
The only cure for the condition is a stem cell
transplant from a suitable donor, but many patients
cannot find a compatible match. SS� allows the parents
of a child with thalassaemia to conceive a baby whose
PGT
Full fledge Embryology Laboratory
stem cells are fully compatible with his or her sibling.
Doctors can then use the newborn’s cord blood to cure
the older sibling.
Over the years, the team at Alpha has also been
involved in other pioneering work that has broken new
ground in fertility treatment. In the 1960s, one of Alpha
IV� International Scientific �oard members introduced
the use of hormonal injections in humans which is now
an essential component in IVF cycles. Another of Alpha
IV�’s Scientific �oard members was responsible for the
world’s first IV� pregnancy in 19��.
Dr �ee, who has more than �2 years of experience in
the fertility field, also led his team to achieve the world’s
first successful pregnancy and delivery in a patient born
without a vagina.
In another breakthrough, about a decade ago Alpha
IVF achieved the reported world’s 1st baby born through
frozen sperm, frozen egg, and frozen embryo. “The
use of frozen embryo leads to higher success rates
compared to the use of fresh embryos.” explained Dr
Leong.
Dr Lee stressed that the desire to pioneer improved
fertility treatments remains an integral part of the group’s
DNA. “We continuously strive to further strengthen
our position as a leading player in the industry. As a
testament to this fact, this year alone we submitted more
than 20 scientific papers that include novel approaches
that further increase IVF pregnancy rates,” he said.
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