PharmaShots Interview: Reproductive Solutions’ Diana Peninger Shares Insights on ProteX, a Solution for Male Infertility

In an interview with PharmaShots, Diana Peninger, President and CEO at Reproductive Solutions shares her views on the ProteX sperm collection solution, offering a new hope for infertile couples.

Shots:

Reproductive Solutions (RSI) reported the availability of a patented, FDA-listed semen collection container that improves specimen quality for in vitro fertilization and other assisted reproductive technologies
The ProteX container also preserves a high-quality sample for up to 48hrs. compared to the 45-60mins. of standard 50-year-old collection methods, enabling at-home collection while also easing bottlenecks at fertility clinic labs
As the first advance in semen collection, our ProteX container not only allows samples to be collected at home without compromising quality but also provides a healthier specimen with the potential to increase the odds of conception. The ProteX solution is currently in use at several fertility clinics and will be available directly to consumers this year

Tuba: Tell us more about RSI.

Diana: Reproductive Solutions (RSI) is a medical device company whose focus is on infertility and advanced innovation that increases the chances of successful pregnancy. We develop science-backed technology that meets a need and demand among infertility physicians and couples struggling to conceive. It ranges from groundbreaking at-home solutions that reduce stress for patients, to patented technology that improves the health of male partner semen samples. Infertility solutions and assisted fertility methods have advanced for women but are predominantly outdated for men today, which impacts outcomes. We offer groundbreaking innovation to address and change this.

Tuba: What is ProteX and how is it innovative?

Diana: ProteX is our patented, FDA-listed semen collection container. It replaces standard infertility treatment collection containers that have been used for over 50-years. It was developed by reproductive health specialists at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and has been proven to improve semen sample collection for in vitro fertilization, as well as all other assisted reproductive technologies. ProteX has an insulated design and interior funnel which directs sperm into a small holding well that minimizes the surface area exposure to the environment and prevents severe temperature fluctuations. This and other features reduce damage to sperm quality. It results in increased motility, sperm count and fertilization capability, maintains the sample at its highest quality for 48 hours, which enables it to be used at home in a much more comfortable and intimate setting.

Tuba: What sparked the company to create the product?

Diana: RSI was invented by Texas Tech Health Science Center Reproductive scientists to serve the 1 in 8 couples that experience infertility, over 7 million. But it was the personal experience of our Vice President, John Smothers, that motivates our deep passion to help couples conceive today. John and his wife struggled to conceive a family for many years. When his wife had become ill with cancer, she had asked him to promise to help other couples with infertility issues. RSI was later born.

Tuba: Who uses ProteX and how is ProteX used?

Diana: ProteX is used by infertility physicians and their male patients to collect semen samples for diagnostic analysis and ART treatments. Patients can take ProteX home from their fertility clinic to collect the sample in the privacy and comfort of their own environment. This reduces stress and captures their best quality sample, while easing the one-hour collection constraint on the clinics. The sample is then returned to the clinic for analysis and application.

Tuba: What results or outcomes has ProteX demonstrated to help address male infertility?

Diana: ProteX preserves sperm samples for up to 48 hours compared to 45 to 60 minutes of standard collection methods. This enables at-home collection and increases efficiency and flexibility for clinics to provide the best patient experience. It has an insulated design and proprietary features that protect sperm from thermal shock, pH imbalances and osmotic stress by slowing sperm cooling rate to 0.5° F per minute. It increases sperm motility by 50% and has many other benefits that raise the likelihood of egg fertilization and increases the chances of pregnancy success.

Tuba: What other key benefits can you share about ProteX?

Diana: ProteX brings much needed cutting-edge advancements to sperm collection for male infertility. We constantly test and advance our solutions and are continuing to explore further innovation to help improve reproductive outcomes for male infertility patients, and ultimately, help many more couples start and grow their family.

Tuba: How is ProteX beneficial specifically to healthcare providers?

Diana: ProteX has been proven to help infertility outcomes in both human and animal research and testing. Better health outcomes have numerous benefits for both patients and providers. Clinic benefits are achieved with an expanded processing window of 48 hours, which reduces inefficient interruptions required with processing within a one-hour window. It also reduces sample drop-off traffic, streamlines sample transport from satellites that serve patients closer to their home, and allows not only more quality time with patients, but the ability to serve more patients for physicians.

Tuba: Is there a need or demand for better innovation in male infertility and what is driving the need/demand?

Diana: Up to 40% of couples who experience infertility issues can be traced back to male partners. Yet, much of the technology and treatments for male infertility have not kept up with the advancements available for women. There is increasing attention around male reproductive health and addressing these issues among men. It spans new technologies and innovation, to greater support and awareness. The need and demand for new advancements are important. It’s important for men to have information on their reproductive health, to assess their health and take action to improve it.

Tuba: What else can you share about ProteX that may be useful to readers?

Diana: RSI will be releasing additional innovation to address and help men who struggle with infertility in the coming year.

Source: News Medical

About Author:

Diana Peninger is the President & CEO at Reproductive Solutions. She is a corporate senior executive and entrepreneur with over 20 years of extensive international business leadership experience in industrial products, including medical devices, food ingredients, and specialty chemicals. Her expertise in chemical engineering and disruptive market innovations fuels her passion to commercialize technology that is accessible to the mass market and genuinely improves lives.