Building Families Globally

Ferticentro is founded by a group of trailblazing experts in Medically Assisted Procreation (MAP), marking the beginning of its mission to aid in fertility.

It was thanks to Ferticentro that the modern IVF treatments arrived in the Center region of Portugal. In fact, it was Ferticentro who achieved the birth of the first babies born from common IVF techniques, such as ICSI, testicular biopsy (TESA/TESE), frozen embryo transfer or sperm donation in the Coimbra area and the whole center region of Portugal, providing the local population with access to modern fertility treatments.

Ferticentro introduces an exclusive line of credit to fully finance infertility treatments offered at the clinic. In December, the clinic joins the inaugural group of MAP-specialised clinics to receive formal licensing in Portugal.

The clinic becomes one of the initial private centres to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, addressing MAP treatment waitlists. In October, the clinic's service excellence is awarded with the NP EN ISO 9001:2008 Quality Certification, establishing Ferticentro as a pioneer in the Iberian Peninsula's reproductive medicine sector.

January sees the launch of Ferticentro's Oocyte Donation Program, featuring Ferticentro's own donor bank—making this vital treatment accessible in Coimbra for the first time, and ensuring the entire donor process, from recruitment to embryo transfer, is local.

Ferticentro transforms the landscape of cryopreservation. Since adopting the vitrification method in 2011 and leaving behind outdated slow cooling techniques a year later, we achieve remarkable success. Our commitment to advancement elevates egg and embryo survival rates, consistently exceeding 90%, a significant leap from the previous 70% with the old technique. Ferticentro proudly stands as one of Portugal's pioneering clinics to embrace this cutting-edge approach daily, marking the first in the Coimbra area.

Embarking on a new era, Ferticentro unveils its cutting-edge facilities at Portugal's largest private hospital in 2012. This momentous leap not only redefines the standards of patient care but also serves as the pivotal launchpad for our flourishing international endeavours.

2013 marks a pivotal year for Ferticentro as we embrace oocyte cryopreservation and fertility preservation for women. With leading international scientific societies endorsing the safety and efficacy of oocyte (egg) vitrification, transitioning it from an experimental procedure, we swiftly made this groundbreaking option available to our patients. This empowering choice grants women the flexibility to postpone motherhood for various reasons. As pioneers once more, Ferticentro introduces this innovation, shaping the landscape of reproductive medicine in Portugal.

At the dawn of 2013, Ferticentro proudly inaugurates its renowned Egg Bank. Since that defining moment, a diverse array of egg donors remains a constant resource for our patients. Ferticentro not only cultivates a vast selection of donors but also forges crucial collaborations, both on a national and international scale, further enriching the options available to our valued patients.

Ferticentro leads the way as the first clinic in Portugal and one of the pioneers in Europe to implement the Embryoscope. This cutting-edge incubator, equipped with a built-in video camera, enables continuous, real-time monitoring of embryo development 24/7, setting new standards in reproductive technology.

In 2014, Ferticentro establishes its sperm bank, pioneering a platform that enables patients to undergo treatments with donors meticulously selected and evaluated in Portugal, adhering to rigorous Portuguese criteria and standards.

In 2014, Ferticentro offers a vital service to couples where the male partner is HIV, Hepatitis B, or C positive. Our facility provides a cutting-edge sperm-washing service, ensuring the secure utilisation of sperm without the risk of transmitting infections to the female partner or the baby. This groundbreaking service, introduced for the first time in the Coimbra area, reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing reproductive healthcare.

In 2015, Ferticentro inaugurates its pioneering Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) program, introducing a comprehensive suite of crucial tests, for the first time in the Coimbra area: - PGT-A screens for numerical chromosomal abnormalities, particularly vital for women aged 39 and above. - PGT-SR caters to cases where patients are carriers of chromosomal structural rearrangements. - PGT-M addresses patients who are carriers of monogenic diseases. Today, our certified embryologists adeptly collaborate with leading international genetics labs and serve as instructors, sharing their expertise in executing these delicate and sensitive techniques.

With the landmark amendment to the Portuguese IVF Law in 2016, Ferticentro embraces a groundbreaking initiative, swiftly extending fertility treatments to lesbian couples—a move that resonates as a tremendous success. Recognised for our openness and commitment, Ferticentro quickly becomes a celebrated, lesbian-friendly clinic. Our tailored communication and dedicated attention to the unique needs of lesbian patients earns us multiple ambassadors within the community.

In 2016, Ferticentro pioneers the availability of fertility treatments for single women, marking a transformative initiative. Since then, addressing the unique needs of this specific demographic has remained a paramount concern, propelling us towards continuous innovations in care and transparency. Today, we continue our unwavering commitment to providing specialised support and cutting-edge solutions for single women embarking on their fertility journeys.

In 2017, Ferticentro takes a pioneering step by becoming the first clinic in Portugal to implement the RI Witness system. This innovative approach utilises RFID tags to meticulously track the location of our patients' eggs, sperm, and embryos within the clinic at all times, ensuring a seamless and error-free processing journey. Our commitment to safety and traceability is enhanced by this cutting-edge system, providing an additional layer of non-human oversight and instilling complete confidence in our procedures.

The exciting results of utilising the Embryoscope leads us to acquire a second one, transforming Ferticentro into a 100% Embryoscope clinic—the first of its kind in Portugal.

In April 2018, the Portuguese Constitutional Court's unexpected decision to ban anonymous donations brings an abrupt halt to all such contributions in the country. At Ferticentro, we swiftly take action. Within a few months, an incredible 97% of our egg donors and 70% of our sperm donors willingly transition to non-anonymous status—a remarkable achievement. Since then, we've proudly established the largest open-ID egg and sperm bank in Portugal, fostering collaborations with numerous IVF centres, both domestically and internationally.

In 2019, Ferticentro joins forces with an exceptional team of doctors and embryologists in Porto to establish Procriar—a boutique, state-of-the-art clinic renowned for its excellent care and donor accessibility. While Procriar and Ferticentro operate as independent clinics, we share common values and continue to collaborate on various clinical projects, strengthening our commitment to advancing reproductive healthcare.

To further enhance our capacity for treatments utilising Embryoscope technology, Ferticentro makes a significant advancement in 2019 by acquiring the cutting-edge Embryoscope Plus. This modern equipment marks another stride toward harnessing the full potential of video time-lapse technology in our reproductive procedures.

In 2020, the 'Pride Babies' initiative takes flight, dedicated to addressing the unique needs of the LGBTQIA+ community. This educational project is designed to guide individuals worldwide in understanding the diverse options available for building their families. Additionally, it aims to contribute to breaking down barriers and combating discrimination that unfortunately continues to impact the daily lives of these families.

In 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, when many were confined to their homes, Ferticentro initiates a robust series of online activities for patients. During this time, we actively heighten fertility literacy, prepare individuals for postponed treatments, and offer support to those delaying their family-building projects. The period was marked by dynamic and engaging daily events, including webinars and debates, which have since become integral parts of our communication routines, consistently drawing high numbers of attendees.

In 2020, building on our long-standing commitment to transparency in IVF, we launch a project to provide our patients with extended donor profiles. Now, when undergoing a donation treatment at Ferticentro, you are offered the comprehensive profile of your donor. This not only fosters a connection with the person behind the donation but also serves as a valuable source of information for you to share with your child before they reach the age of 18. Access to extended donor profiles is not just about transparency; it has become an indispensable aspect of our practice.

In 2020, Ferticentro achieved a historic milestone – the first birth in Portugal resulting from an embryo meticulously selected for genetic compatibility (HLA compatible) with an older sibling facing a severe medical condition. This cutting-edge technique ensures that the newborn can serve as a perfect stem cell donor for their brother or sister, providing a crucial lifeline for survival.

In 2021, amidst Ferticentro's remarkable growth, we transition to our third location since the clinic's foundation. Our new facilities, spanning 1000 sqm and now the largest in Portugal, exude modernity and sophistication. These expansive surroundings provide us with optimal conditions to further develop and enhance our services.

What an incredible journey it has been to reach this milestone! Ferticentro celebrates its 20th anniversary in our state-of-the-art facilities, accompanied by the expansion of our dedicated team. In this year, we welcome 12 new members to our growing family!

As a clinic at the forefront of scientific advancements, in 2022, Ferticentro embarks on the integration of artificial intelligence into our daily treatments. While we acknowledge these technologies as experimental, we are actively fine-tuning the new systems and adjusting our methods in collaboration with leading IVF centres worldwide. Since initiating these trials, we have garnered valuable insights, presenting our exciting results at scientific congresses both in Portugal and abroad.

We all carry genetic recessive diseases, a normal occurrence that typically poses no health problems. Risks arise only when both members of a couple (or the individuals contributing the egg and sperm) are carriers for the same genetic recessive disease, a situation that occurs in 2% to 5% of cases and increases the likelihood of having an affected child to 25%. To mitigate this risk, Ferticentro, introduces its genetic matching program in 2023, enabling the exclusion of mutations associated with up to 2200 genetic diseases. This program holds particular significance in treatments involving egg or sperm donation.

In 2023, Ferticentro proudly receives the 'Best Practice Recognition in Vitrification' diploma from Kitazato, the global leader in embryo and egg vitrification.