Infertility affects 1 in 6 couples globally, making it one of the most emotionally and financially challenging medical issues of our time. For many, IVF offers a beacon of hope. But here’s the harsh reality: up to 70% of IVF cycles fail. These failures often stem from genetic issues within embryos—problems that traditional testing and methods can’t reliably detect.

Can genomics and AI step in to revolutionize fertility care, making it faster, more effective, and less heartbreaking?

This question sets the stage for the first episode of talk is biotech!, a biotech podcast hosted by Guru Singh. In this episode, Jeremy Grushcow and Kaylene Ready of Juniper Genomics share how their innovations are rewriting the rules of IVF, giving families better chances at success through precision science.

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The Root Cause: Why Do IVF Cycles Fail?

According to Juniper’s CEO, Jeremy Grushcow, 85% of failed IVF cycles are caused by genetic issues within embryos. He explains, “It’s not about what you did or didn’t do—like drinking coffee or taking the wrong supplements. It’s the genetics of the embryo itself.”

Currently, without genetic testing, IVF success rates hover around 30-35%. Even basic genetic testing that counts chromosomes only raises success rates to 50-55%. However, Juniper’s advanced genomic testing promises to increase success rates to 85% by providing a deeper understanding of each embryo’s genetic makeup​​.

This is the power of IVF Biotech—leveraging cutting-edge technology to solve a problem that has persisted for decades.

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Revolutionizing Embryo Selection

Juniper’s genomic platform is a game-changer, analyzing 3 billion DNA base pairs in each embryo. Unlike traditional testing, which often relies on visual grading or chromosome counting, Juniper’s approach dives deep into the molecular details. It evaluates the genome and transcriptome of an embryo to identify markers linked to both viability and potential risks for severe genetic diseases.

Kaylene Ready, Juniper’s CPO, likens their technology to reading books: “Traditional methods just count how many books are on the shelf. We open each book, read it cover to cover, and check for errors.” This comprehensive analysis enables families to choose embryos with the best chance of resulting in a successful, healthy pregnancy​.

For families with a history of conditions like cystic fibrosis or Tay-Sachs, this level of detail provides clarity and confidence. It’s not just about fertility success but also about giving parents peace of mind that they’re making the best decision for their future family​​.

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AI: The Future of Precision Fertility

AI is emerging as a transformative tool in IVF, with the potential to improve embryo selection and streamline the entire process. While AI’s current role is still developing, Jeremy highlights its future potential: “AI will help detect subtle patterns or anomalies in genetic data that embryologists might miss. It’s not replacing clinicians; it’s enhancing their ability to make informed decisions.”

The ability to analyze vast datasets quickly and accurately will make IVF processes faster, more scalable, and less reliant on subjective human interpretation. AI could also help clinics handle growing demand for IVF while maintaining high standards of care, offering hope for families navigating this emotionally taxing journey​​.

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Who Benefits from Genomics and AI in IVF?

Juniper’s innovations cater to a diverse range of patients:

• Heterosexual couples experiencing infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss.
• Same-sex couples seeking to expand their families through assisted reproduction.
• Individuals wanting to reduce the risk of passing on genetic diseases to their children.

By integrating genomics and AI, Juniper provides actionable insights that empower families. Instead of overwhelming patients with technical data, their platform delivers clear, digestible recommendations. “It’s about providing support while keeping patients in control,” Kaylene explains​​.

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The Emotional and Financial Toll of IVF

Each failed IVF attempt comes with a steep price—both emotionally and financially. In the U.S., one cycle can cost upwards of $20,000, and repeated failures often lead to patients abandoning treatment altogether. Jeremy notes that many patients don’t give up because of cost alone, but because of the emotional strain of failure​​.

By increasing success rates, Juniper aims to alleviate both burdens, shortening the journey to parenthood and reducing the overall cost of treatment. This is where IVF Biotech excels—turning hope into actionable, science-backed outcomes.

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Ethical Considerations in Embryo Selection

Embryo selection is not without controversy, but Juniper approaches this with clear ethical boundaries. Their focus is strictly on reducing risks for severe genetic diseases, avoiding the selection of traits like eye color or height. Jeremy emphasizes, “We’re empowering families with data to make informed decisions, while staying firmly rooted in principles like autonomy and justice.”

This approach ensures that innovation remains aligned with patient needs and societal expectations​​.

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Expanding Access to Fertility Treatments

One of the biggest challenges in IVF is accessibility. Even in countries like Canada, where healthcare is more equitable, genetic testing is often excluded from funding, making it unaffordable for many families. Jeremy highlights Ontario’s recent introduction of tax benefits for infertility treatments as a positive step, but there’s still a long way to go​​.

Juniper’s vision includes making IVF more efficient and reducing failures, which could ultimately bring down costs and make these life-changing treatments available to more families.

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Looking Ahead: The Promise of Precision Fertility

Guru Singh and Jeremy Grushcow discuss the future of fertility care, imagining a world where genomics, AI, and synthetic biology converge to create precision fertility. Jeremy describes this as a pivotal moment: “We’re at a point where science is giving us tools to reshape fertility care ethically and responsibly. The goal is to empower families and improve outcomes.”

Kaylene adds that automation, driven by synthetic biology, could further reduce costs by streamlining processes like lab work and genetic testing. “We’re looking at how to make treatments scalable without sacrificing quality,” she says​​.

This combination of advanced genomics, AI, and synthetic biology could redefine IVF—not just as a last resort but as a first choice for family planning.

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Watch the Podcast

Want to dive deeper into the discussion? Watch talk is biotech! on YouTube and explore how genomics and AI are revolutionizing fertility care.

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Listen to the Podcast

Prefer listening on the go? Stream talk is biotech! on Spotify. In this episode, we dive into the future of fertility care.

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