Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine

What Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine does

Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine is a 501c3 nonprofit research foundation (Federal Tax ID# 82-1189077) headquartered in Foster City, California, founded by Dr. Christo Zouves in 2017 to expand scientific knowledge of early human development and embryo implantation for the benefit of people experiencing infertility. The foundation conducts research on preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), mosaic embryo transfer outcomes, single-cell transcriptomics of postimplantation embryos, mitochondrial DNA quantification in human blastocysts, and next-generation sequencing-based embryo assessment. Its most cited research output is a clinical embryo ranking system built from outcome data on more than 1,000 mosaic embryo transfers and over 3,500 clinical outcome datapoints, aimed at prioritizing chromosomally normal embryos for transfer and addressing the unexplained implantation failure of approximately 40% of morphologically and chromosomally normal embryos.

The foundation's research program is built on a singular dependency: its core partnership with Zouves Fertility Center, described as the only U.S. private IVF clinic to retain in-house PGT expertise since the early 2000s. ZFC donates extranumerary frozen embryos with known chromosomal and pregnancy-outcome data, which constitute the foundation's primary research material. Findings are disseminated through peer-reviewed publications in Fertility and Sterility, PNAS, Human Reproduction, Scientific Reports, Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, and Genes, and through oral and poster presentations at ASRM, ESHRE, PGDIS, REDLARA, TSRM, CFAS, and AMMR. International research collaborations extend to centers in Italy, Taiwan, New York, New Jersey, and Johns Hopkins University.

The foundation generates revenue exclusively through tax-deductible charitable contributions, with a stated founding goal of $1,000,000 and $185,725 raised as of the latest update on its website. It does not sell products or services, does not license its embryo ranking methodology commercially, and does not disclose financials beyond the public fundraising thermometer. Governance is provided by a Board of Directors comprising Dr. Christo Zouves (Chairman), Dr. Frank Barnes, Ph.D., HCLD (Secretary), and Harley J. Earl (Treasurer), with scientific leadership including Senior Scientist and Principal Investigator Manuel Viotti, Ph.D.

Name

Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine

Legal name

Zouves Foundation For Reproductive Medicine

Website

https://zouvesfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

501c3 nonprofit research foundation based in Foster City, California, that conducts scientific research on early human embryo development, preimplantation genetic testing, and embryo ranking to improve IVF outcomes for infertility patients and the reproductive medicine community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Reproductive Medicine Research

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAAALAJ

Prenatal, Newborn & Reproductive Diagnostics (NIPT, IVF/PGT, newborn screening)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Biotechnology & Biologics/Diagnostics (Biotech-related)

SECONDARYHLAHAAAI

Genetic, Cytogenetic & Prenatal Screening IVD

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Medical Devices & Diagnostics/In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) & Laboratory Diagnostics

SECONDARYHLAAALAD

Genetic & Genomic Testing (germline, somatic, carrier, pharmacogenomics)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Biotechnology & Biologics/Diagnostics (Biotech-related)

Keywords

• Reproductive medicine research
• Preimplantation genetic testing
• Embryo implantation research
• IVF research foundation
• Infertility treatment studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Foster City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Tax-Deductible Charitable Donations: The foundation operates as a registered 501c3 nonprofit accepting various forms of charitable contributions including cash donations, stock donations, vehicle donations, and bank wires. All contributions are 100% tax-deductible.
2. Founding Goal Campaign: The foundation has a stated founding goal of raising one million dollars through donations to fund reproductive medicine research.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine is a 501c3 nonprofit research foundation that conducts scientific research on early human development and embryo implantation to improve the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Its research programs focus on preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), mosaic embryo transfer analysis, mitochondrial DNA quantification, single-cell transcriptomics, and the development of data-driven embryo ranking systems. Findings are disseminated through peer-reviewed scientific publications, international conference presentations, and webinars to advance clinical practice in reproductive medicine.

Product overview

Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine is a 501c3 research foundation (Federal Tax ID# 82-1189077) focused on advancing reproductive medicine through scientific research on early human development and implantation. The foundation operates as a unified research organization conducting studies on embryo chromosomal analysis, mosaic embryo transfer outcomes, and mitochondrial DNA patterns. Their research programs include PGT-A analysis, mosaic embryo transfer clinical outcome studies, and embryo ranking methodologies—all aimed at improving IVF success rates by understanding why chromosomally normal embryos sometimes fail to implant. The foundation collaborates with Zouves Fertility Center and international research partners, publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at major reproductive medicine conferences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) Research Program Research program investigating chromosomal normalcy in embryos through preimplantation genetic testing, studying aneuploidy, mosaicism, and structural rearrangements to improve embryo selection for IVF transfer. Aimed at advancing reproductive medicine through scientific study.
• Mosaic Embryo Transfer Analysis Research Extensive clinical outcome research on mosaic embryo transfers, including development of embryo ranking systems to guide clinical decisions on transferring embryos with chromosomal mosaicism. Includes analysis of over 3,500 clinical outcome datapoints.
• Mitochondrial DNA Analysis Research Research on mitochondrial DNA quantitation in human blastocysts to determine whether mtDNA levels predict ploidy, implantation potential, and developmental competence, revealing uniform levels irrespective of ploidy, age, or implantation potential.
• Embryo Ranking System Research A data-driven ranking system developed from analyzing thousands of embryo transfers to prioritize embryos with the greatest likelihood of successful implantation based on chromosomal profiles and pregnancy outcomes. Formulated from outcome data from over 1,000 mosaic embryo transfers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Pregnancy rates improved from low 20-percentile to approximately 60% per embryo transferred through PGT advancement
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Zouves Fertility CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZouves Fertility Center provides the foundation with access to extranumerary frozen embryos donated for research. ZFC is singular amongst US private IVF clinics in retaining expertise and technologies to offer PGT in-house since early 2000s, creating a unique research resource.
• Johns Hopkins University (Rajiv McCoy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with Rajiv McCoy from Johns Hopkins University on scientific presentations and publications
• International reproductive medicine centers and genetic testing laboratoriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational scientific collaboration between Zouves Fertility Center and reproductive medicine centers and genetic testing laboratories in Italy, Taiwan, New York, and New Jersey

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Zouves Fertility Center: Sister clinical IVF practice founded by Dr. Zouves in 1999. Operates in the same reproductive-medicine space, provides the Foundation's donated embryos for research, and shares in-house PGT expertise since the early 2000s — the closest institutional peer.

Broad incumbents

• Reproductive Medicine Associates (RMA Network): Large fertility clinic network with a research arm that has contributed extensively to IVF outcomes research, including embryo selection and PGT, comparable to Zouves' clinical-research hybrid model but at much greater scale.
• Natera: Public genetics company offering the Empower PGT-A product and broader reproductive health testing. Comparable on PGT-A technology and embryo chromosomal analysis, with substantially greater R&D and commercialization resources.
• Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine (CCRM): National fertility network with a dedicated research institute studying embryo development and IVF outcomes. Operates in the same reproductive-medicine research-and-clinical space with broader geographic reach and funding base.
• Stanford Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center: Academic reproductive medicine center conducting research on embryo development, implantation, and IVF outcomes. Comparable research scope (PGT, embryo biology) with substantially larger institutional funding and faculty.
• CooperSurgical (Reproductive Genetic Innovations): Commercial provider of PGT and IVF lab services through Reproductive Genetic Innovations. Overlaps with the Foundation on embryo chromosomal analysis and IVF lab services but with established commercial scale.

Emerging players

• Igenomix (Vitrolife Group): Specialized reproductive genetics lab offering PGT-A, PGT-M, and embryo ranking services. Directly comparable on PGT technology and embryo-selection methodology, with commercial scale the Foundation lacks.

Regional players

• Pacific Fertility Center: Bay Area fertility clinic with research activity in embryo development and IVF outcomes. Comparable as a San Francisco-area IVF clinic with research interests; serves a similar regional patient base as Zouves Fertility Center.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zouves-foundation-for-reproductive-medicine

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine