Ovom Care fertility clinic bankruptcy triggers embryo transfer to Lisbon clinic

The sudden insolvency of the Ovom Care fertility clinic in Cascais, Portugal, has left numerous patients, particularly British nationals, in a state of uncertainty regarding their ongoing treatments and the safety of their stored biological materials, including embryos and gametes.

In response to the crisis, the AVA Clinic in Lisbon has agreed to receive the cryopreserved biological materials and clinical documentation from Ovom Care. This decision follows a broad interpretation of an existing contingency protocol between the two facilities, which was originally intended for emergency situations such as equipment failure. The National Council for Medically Assisted Procreation (CNPMA) noted that some irreversible treatments were already completed at AVA Clinic to prevent the loss of progress for affected patients.

Cristina Hickman, a former manager of the clinic and embryologist, has criticized the abrupt closure, which occurred without the legally required six-month notice. She highlighted the ethical concerns regarding the protection of patients and their biological assets during business failures, noting that the parent company, Ovom Care GmbH, is also facing bankruptcy.