How is a Toronto researcher re-thinking male infertility treatment? 

The challenge: Addressing gaps in male infertility treatment

At a time when approximately 15 percent of Canadian couples experience infertility, with male infertility identified as the sole cause in about one in three cases, treatment options remain limited, costly, and often invasive. In most cases, it is the female partner who undergoes in vitro fertilization (IVF), a demanding and expensive process that can cost upwards of $15,000 to $20,000 per cycle, even when male infertility is the primary issue.

While intrauterine insemination (IUI) is widely recognized as a safe and effective fertility treatment, its success is often constrained by conventional sperm preparation techniques. These methods typically rely on centrifugation, a high-speed spinning process that can damage already fragile sperm, reducing the likelihood of achieving a healthy sample and successful pregnancy.

This challenge highlighted a clear gap in fertility care: the need for a gentler, more effective way to support male infertility treatment.

The solution: A gentler, biology-inspired approach to sperm selection

Dr. Narjes Allahrabbi, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University, set out to address this challenge by rethinking how sperm are prepared for fertility treatment.

Working under the supervision of Professor Virgilio Valente and Dr. Darius Rackus, Dr. Allahrabbi developed an automated, microfluidic sperm preparation device that mimics the natural process of sperm selection within the female body. Rather than relying on centrifugation, the device gently separates healthy sperm based on their ability to swim upstream or resist fluid flow, selecting the strongest sperm while preserving their health and viability.

The goal is to improve the effectiveness of IUI as a less invasive and more affordable alternative to IVF, particularly for patients facing male infertility.

The outcome: From research innovation to real-world impact

Dr. Allahrabbi’s innovation led to the launch of Fertilead, a Toronto-based start-up now developing both clinical and at-home versions of the sperm preparation technology.

A pre-clinical validation study is expected to begin early next year at CReATe Fertility Clinic in Toronto. Fertilead has submitted its research and development application to Toronto Metropolitan University and is in the final stages of securing Research Ethics Board approval for FertiliTab, the clinical version of the device.

An at-home kit, called FertiliEZ, is also in development. Designed for use in the privacy of a couple’s own home, the kit will include a similar sperm preparation device alongside an insemination tool, further expanding access to fertility care.

The Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) has stated that IUI is a safe, effective, and essential fertility treatment that plays a vital role in providing accessible, patient-centred reproductive care across Canada. Expanding access to IUI aligns with principles of inclusivity, autonomy, and reproductive justice, particularly when delivered through primary healthcare settings.

“Mitacs not only supported commercialization of the innovation through funding, but more importantly provided the academic affiliation, strategic direction and exposure to entrepreneurial training required to go from lab to market,” said Dr. Allahrabbi. “Through Mitacs, I was able to orchestrate a more straightforward path to market, with promising results.”

Talent in action: Research excellence and entrepreneurial leadership

Dr. Allahrabbi’s work has earned her the Mitacs Innovation Award — Canadian Start-Up Innovator of the Year, recognizing her ability to translate research excellence into real-world impact through entrepreneurship.

The award, presented by Mitacs, a national organization that connects businesses and researchers with access to talent, funding, and partnerships, was presented at a ceremony at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on November 17.

She is one of 11 award winners nationally, selected from a pool of thousands of researchers who participate in Mitacs programs each year.

Mitacs’s programs receive funding from multiple partners across Canada. We thank the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon for supporting us to empower Canadian innovation. 

Do you have a business challenge that could benefit from a research solution? If so, contact Mitacs today to discuss partnership opportunities: [email protected]. 

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