Lumiris, a pioneer in reproductive technology, has announced a major breakthrough in fertility science with the discovery of new biomarkers for assessing egg viability.
This was made possible by using the company’s METAPHOR platform, marking a successful first application of the technology on human oocytes. Presented at the 2026 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) Congress, this first-of-its-kind technology uses a sophisticated, non-invasive metabolic imaging platform to robustly classify the maturation and age-related health of a human oocyte (egg).
The current methods for evaluating egg quality are limited and often invasive. METAPHOR
establishes a new paradigm. The technology can distinguish between the two fundamental
processes that determine an egg’s health: maturation and aging. An egg final maturation
takes about 30 hours, but it carries the metabolic signature of having aged for 30-plus
years inside a woman’s body. METAPHOR is the first technology that can see and analyze
the distinct metabolic impact of both the “30 hours and the 30 years,” providing a complete,
non-invasive assessment of an egg’s health.
For patients, this provides more certainty in fertility procedures like egg freezing. It removes
the uncertainty from oocyte selection, often the most challenging part of the process,
offering greater assurance about future possibilities. This is a significant benefit for women
trying to conceive, particularly those with conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
(PCOS/PMOS), which is linked to lower rates of reproductive success and a higher risk of
miscarriage. By knowing the quality of the eggs they freeze, women can have greater peace
of mind about their future. This same clarity enhances the oocyte donation process,
ensuring patients can be more confident about the quality of donated eggs.
“We are unlocking a new, critical layer of insight for clinicians and patients. By providing a
clear, non-invasive window into an egg’s metabolic health, METAPHOR represents a pivotal
step forward in our mission to bring greater clarity and certainty to the fertility journey” says
Samuel Ojosnegros, co-founder and chief scientific officer at Lumiris.
The research, conducted on 189 human oocytes, demonstrated METAPHOR’s ability to
provide a detailed, multi-dimensional assessment of an egg’s metabolic status.
Importantly, safety testing on a cohort of 301 mouse oocytes confirmed that the metabolic
imaging process is developmentally safe.
“’For decades, clinical embryology has relied on visual assessments that only scratch the
surface of oocyte quality,” says Thomas Freour, Clinical Embryologist and head of the ART
department at the University Hospital of Nantes-France. “The METAPHOR platform
represents a significant clinical breakthrough by finally giving us a safe, non-invasive
window into the metabolic health and cytoplasmic maturity of an egg. By revealing these
previously hidden physiological markers, we can make far more precise, data-driven
decisions in the lab, taking the guesswork out of oocyte selection and ultimately offering
our patients a much clearer path to a successful pregnancy.”
The introduction of METAPHOR for oocyte assessment marks a pivotal moment in assisted
reproductive technology, shifting the focus towards a more personalised and data-driven
approach to fertility care. Lumiris plans to make this technology available to clinicians and
patients as soon as clinical tests conclude.
