Burg Simpson is investigating potential product liability claims against CooperSurgical, Inc. related to the recall of its IVF culture media.
What Is IVF Culture Media?
In the IVF process, culture media is a complex solution that is used to support cell growth of fertilized eggs. After a woman undergoes egg retrieval, fertilized eggs are placed in a culture media designed to provide the ideal environment for the growth and development of fertilized eggs into embryos. Embryos remain in the culture media for several days until they are ready for implantation in the woman’s uterus.
CooperSurgical manufactures and sells its culture media to fertility clinics throughout the United States. The culture media used in IVF plays a crucial role in determining the success of the IVF cycle. If the culture media is defective, embryos fail to develop and any chance at a successful IVF cycle is lost.
CooperSurgical Investigates After Complaints of Failed Embryo Development
In late 2023, CooperSurgical became aware of a sudden increase in complaints from fertility clinics related to failed embryo development. In December 2023, CooperSurgical issued an Urgent Field Safety Notice recalling 3 specific lots of its Global Culture Media (Lots: 231020-018741, 231020-018742 and 231020-018743). The December 2023 Safety Notice did not provide any information about the cause of the failed embryo development.
FDA Issues Recall of CooperSurgical’s IVF Culture Media
On February 14, 2024, the FDA issued a Class II recall of CooperSurgical’s IVF culture media. The FDA recall was for the same three lots identified by CooperSurgical in its December Field Safety Notice. The FDA recall explains that defects with the culture media may lead to impaired embryo development prior to the embryo being viable for implantation. This means countless couples who relied on IFV never had a chance at a successful outcome. An updated notice from CooperSurgical in March 2024 revealed that CooperSurgical failed to include magnesium, an essential ingredient for embryo development, in these three lots of the culture media.
Damages Associated with Loss of Embryos
IVF is an expensive undertaking – physically, emotionally, and economically. Women undergoing IVF are subjected to numerous exams, weeks of hormone injections, and are placed under sedation or anesthesia for the egg retrieval process. Additionally, the cost of each procedure is often in the tens of thousands of dollars. Moreover, the chance of a successful IVF pregnancy decreases as women age. Therefore, every opportunity for implantation of viable embryos is important. Embryos that fail to develop result in a lost opportunity for a successful pregnancy, which is an emotionally difficult experience for anyone trying to have a child.
Contact Burg Simpson Today
If you or a loved one has lost IVF embryos because of the defective CooperSurgical culture media, contact the experienced product liability attorneys at Burg Simpson today. Our award-winning team of compassionate lawyers has spent years fighting for people who have suffered injuries due to the negligent and wrongful acts of large corporations. Let us fight for you. Call 1-888-895-2080 or fill out our contact form for a free, no obligation consultation today.