Virtus Opens New Fertility Centre in Singapore
December 23 2014 - 2:36AM
Business Wire
Highlights
- Virtus expands international
footprint by opening first Virtus-branded Fertility Centre in
Singapore
- Clinic, theatre and embryology
laboratory ‘one stop centre’ based in prestigious Scotts Medical
Center in Singapore’s city centre
Virtus Health (“Virtus”) (ASX:VRT), Australia’s largest IVF
provider, is pleased to announce it has opened its first Virtus
branded Fertility Centre in Singapore.
“The Singapore Ministry of Health recently adopted the
Australian Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee (RTAC)
Code of Practice for the governing of fertility clinics and the
Virtus Fertility Centre achieved both RTAC and Ministry of Health
approval today,” Virtus Health Group CEO Sue Channon said.
The new Virtus Fertility Centre is one of the largest dedicated
fertility centres in the region providing consultation and
monitoring services, with its own theatres and embryo transfer
rooms connected to a “clean room” laboratory ensuring optimal care
for developing embryos.
“Our collaboration with local leading fertility specialists to
establish the Virtus Fertility Centre in Singapore’s prestigious
Scotts Medical Center medical precinct will offer patients the full
suite of fertility procedures, from the very simple to the most
advanced giving patients the best chance of having a baby,” Ms
Channon said.
Virtus Fertility Centre Medical Director Dr Roland Chieng said
the embryology lab is the first in Singapore to be ISO-certified as
a clean room laboratory.
“Good, clean air quality is essential for embryos to grow and
the clean room will ensure that the environment in the IVF
laboratory has the lowest level possible of environmental
pollutants,” he said.
“Having access to world class assisted reproductive technology
and a large group of highly experienced like-minded colleagues will
ensure our ability to provide the very best care for Singaporeans
having trouble conceiving a child. The breadth of Virtus’ ART
activities gives us enormous professional stimulation with access
to research and current evidence based clinical practice,” he
explained.
Virtus Fertility Centre’s first patients in Singapore are
expected to begin treatment in January 2015. The Singapore
fertility specialists associated with the centre undertake about
350 cycles annually, which is anticipated to rise to 450 in FY16
through market expansion both locally and from within the
region.
“Singapore’s medical precinct attracts reproductive health
patients from other countries and we believe this will be a strong
growth market for us,” Ms Channon said.
The Virtus Fertility Centre was established within budget and
cost AUD$3.5 million. In FY15 Virtus forecasts a small earnings
dilution of less than 1% as a consequence of the Centre opening
half way through the financial year with earnings enhancement
forecast in FY16.
Virtus identified Singapore as a key platform for growth in a
region where demand for IVF services is expected to expand as more
women delay having children until later in life. The number of
couples opting for IVF in Singapore has grown from 1,710 in 2005 to
approximately 4,000 in 2013.
Establishing a fertility centre in Singapore continues to
deliver on Virtus’ international expansion strategy and will be
Virtus' second international operation following the announcement
of the Sims Clinic acquisition in Ireland in May earlier this
year.
Virtus’ model of collaborating with fertility specialists and
bringing them together with an infrastructure of experienced
scientists, nurses, counsellors and administrative support as a
team to provide assisted reproductive services for patients was
established in Australia and is expected to be successful in other
countries.
About Virtus
Virtus Health Limited brings together leading clinicians,
scientists, researchers and support staff to provide the very best
in fertility care and related services.
Having developed one of the most successful medical
collaborations in the world, with 100 of the world’s leading
fertility specialists supported by 1029 professional staff, we are
the largest network and provider of fertility services in Australia
with an international presence in Ireland and Singapore. Our
combined expertise creates a unique and powerful body of knowledge
which when combined with the collegial team approach of our
specialists and scientists, means we are able to find new and
advanced solutions for achieving success for our patients. Our
combined expertise and investment in resources and research allows
us to bring clinical and scientific advances to our patients first.
An example of this is karyomapping with preimplantation
genetic diagnosis, automated single gene screening available only
through Virtus Health Group in Australia since October 2014.
Virtus HealthSue Channon, +61 (0)2 9425 1722Chief Executive
OfficerorBuchan ConsultingKyahn Williamson, +61 (0)3 9866
4722Investor
Relationskwilliamson@buchanwe.com.auorSingaporePRecious
CommunicationsLars Voedisch, +65-9170
2470lars@preciouscomms.com
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