RMIT and GonGlobal to power advances in IVF treatment
RMIT University
RMIT University and Melbourne-based company GonGlobal partner to deliver new advances in IVF treatment that could eliminate the need for injections and transform the patient experience.
The collaboration will develop OVULAIR™, an inhaled drug delivery system designed to deliver in vitro fertilisation medicines by inhalation instead of repeated injections.
For the millions of people affected by infertility, IVF can be physically and emotionally demanding. Many patients require three to six treatment cycles to achieve a live birth, with each cycle involving multiple injections, mostly self-administered. For many patients, this can add up to hundreds of injections throughout their treatment journey.
By exploring inhaled delivery of fertility medicines, researchers aim to develop a non-invasive approach that could make IVF significantly easier to manage.
The collaboration combines RMIT’s advanced drug delivery technology with GonGlobal’s expertise in fertility treatment innovation, therapeutic drug-device combination development and commercialisation.
GonGlobal has secured an exclusive global licence to deliver IVF drugs using RMIT’s patented HYDRA inhalation technology, which has demonstrated the ability to safely and selectively deliver liquid medicines deep into the lungs, via a nebulizer.
The project has received a $1 million investment, with RMIT and Innovation Victoria each contributing $500,000 to support the development and commercialisation of OVULAIR™.
Quotes attributable to RMIT University Distinguished Professor, Leslie Yeo
"IVF has created millions of lives, but the treatment itself 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."
"By combining RMIT's engineering expertise with GonGlobal's experience in therapeutic drug-device combination development and commercialisation, we're developing a solution that has the potential to change the IVF experience for patients around the world."
Quotes attributable to RMIT University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, Distinguished Professor Calum Drummond AO
“Transformative research doesn’t happen in isolation – it happens when universities, industry and government bring their complementary strengths together.”
"This partnership with GonGlobal, backed by Innovation Victoria, is a powerful example of how we can move breakthrough technologies out of the lab and into the clinic, where they have the potential to deliver significant benefits for patients and strengthen Victoria’s medical innovation ecosystem.”
Quotes attributable to GonGlobal Co-Founder and CEO, Ellen Gonda
"I know firsthand how challenging it can be for patients experiencing infertility and navigating IVF. The physical, emotional, logistical and financial tolls can be overwhelming."
"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."
"Working with RMIT gives us the opportunity to develop OVULAIR™ to improve infertility treatment for millions of patients."
"We're grateful to RMIT and Innovation Victoria for backing our vision."
Quotes attributable to GonGlobal Executive Chair, Chief Scientist and Co-Founder, Dr Igor Gonda
"Melbourne has been a global leader in IVF since the very beginning. We're proud to work with RMIT to continue this tradition by developing a new generation of patient-focused fertility treatments."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Economic Development, Anthony Carbines
"This innovation shows what Victoria can do – taking world-class research and turning it into a global breakthrough that can change lives."
"We're backing Victoria's brightest innovators to scale faster, attract global investment and prove that the world's best ideas come from right here in Melbourne."
About GonGlobal
Founded in 2023, GonGlobal is committed to radically improving the IVF patient experience and treatment success through inhaled delivery of approved IVF drugs via OVULAIR™, a cloud-connected device platform to replace injections. GonGlobal Pty Ltd is a private company registered in Victoria, Australia.
Contact details:
Interviews: Ellen Gonda, GonGlobal Co-Founder & CEO, 0400 422 682 or [email protected]
General Media enquiries: RMIT External Affairs and Media, 0439 704 077 or [email protected]
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