Biotech startup, GonGlobal, is hoping to change that after raising $1.2 million to develop a new form of IVF treatment.
The raise was backed by Innovation Victoria – the newly merged Breakthrough Victoria and LaunchVic – via its University Innovation Platform with RMIT University matching that $500,000 investment. A private investor also tipped in $200,000 taking the total raised in three years to $3m.
The idea was inspired by cofounder Ellen Gonda’s own experience of IVF, which left her feeling like “a human pin cushion”. Her cofounder is her father, Dr Igor Gonda.
“I know firsthand for patients experiencing infertility and navigating IVF that the physical, emotional, logistical and financial tolls can be overwhelming,” she said.
“Our mission is simple – to radically improve the IVF patient experience and success rates by making treatments less painful, more precise and far more joyful.”
In collaboration with GonGlobal, researchers at RMIT, led by Distinguished Professor Leslie Yeo, are developing an inhaler platform as an alternative to IVF injections so that fertility treatment is not only easier and less invasive, it’s also more precise and accessible.
The funding will accelerate development of GonGlobal’s Ovulair drug delivery system.
GonGlobal emerged from the former LaunchVic’s pre-accelerator program for women founders, JumpStart Studio, and was then backed by the Alice Anderson Fund in a pre-Seed round last year. Both programs continue under Innovation Victoria, and GonGlobal is one of the first startups backed by the new entity.
Innovation Victoria CEO, Rod Bristow said:“GonGlobal is a great example of how the right support at the right time can help a groundbreaking idea become not just a globally competitive business, but one that has substantial positive impact.”
RMIT’s Prof Yeo said IVF treatment can be incredibly demanding.
“We’re excited to work with GonGlobal to develop technology that could replace injections with inhaled medicines and make IVF significantly easier for patients,” he said.
“By combining RMIT’s engineering expertise with GonGlobal’s knowledge of fertility treatment, we’re developing a solution that has the potential to change the IVF experience for patients around the world.”
