Though the healthtech landscape has witnessed several advancements, women’s reproductive health has long been underserved, Swiss healthtech startup ReproNovo is making a timely and bold leap forward. The startup has snapped up $65 million in a Series A funding round to accelerate its mission of bridging critical gaps in reproductive medicine.
The investment round was led by Jeito Capital, with AXA IM Alts joining as co-lead. Long-standing backer M Ventures returned with strong support, joined by Ysios Capital and ALSA Ventures. The syndicate represents a high-conviction group of investors with a track record in advancing life sciences ventures. For ReproNovo, this capital infusion is not only validation of its potential but also fuel to accelerate its clinical ambitions.
The funds will primarily be used to advance ReproNovo’s two lead clinical candidates, RPN-001 and RPN-002, both of which are Phase 2 ready. The investment also supports the expansion of operations across its hubs in Lausanne, Copenhagen, and Barcelona, where the company conducts much of its research and development work. This geographic diversification strengthens its ability to run efficient, multi-site trials and prepare for future commercialisation across global markets.
The timing is critical: over the past 40 years, global sperm counts have halved and sperm quality has declined, with one in 20 men now facing reduced fertility. Meanwhile, one in six couples worldwide experience infertility challenges, and male factors account for about 30% of all infertility cases. The global fertility services market is projected to reach $70.27 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2024, driven by delayed parenthood, increasing age-related infertility, and declining global fertility rates.
In addition to this, Ksenija Pavletic, Partner & Chief Commercial Officer, Jeito Capital; Zina Affas Besse, Partner & Deputy Head of Healthcare Private Equity, AXA IM Alts; Hakan Goker, Managing Director & Head of Biotechnology investments, M Ventures; and Guillem Laporta, Partner, Ysios Capital are members of the ReproNovo Board of Directors as of closing.
Founders with deep therapeutic expertise
ReproNovo was founded in 2021 by a team of life sciences veterans: Jean Marie Duvall, Dr. Joan-Carles Arce, and BingMei Hao. Duvall has decades of experience in clinical development, including leadership roles at global pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Arce, both MD and PhD, is renowned for his work in reproductive endocrinology and drug development. Hao, a seasoned finance leader, has extensive experience guiding biotech companies through high-stakes fundraising and strategic growth, bringing vital business acumen to the founding team.
The trio saw a significant unmet need in both male and female fertility treatments, an area that had remained scientifically stagnant despite growing public health concerns. Their shared vision led to the formation of ReproNovo, with the goal of developing next-generation therapeutics targeting real gaps in reproductive care.
A pipeline built for impact
ReproNovo’s pipeline is focused on two high-potential drug candidates that reflect the company’s innovative edge and clinical precision.
- RPN-001 (leflutrozole): Aimed at treating male infertility caused by low serum testosterone, this orally administered drug could provide a much-needed option for men facing reproductive challenges—a condition that’s increasing even among younger populations. The therapy is designed to stimulate endogenous testosterone without the drawbacks of current hormone replacement therapies.
- RPN-002 (nolasiban): A first-in-disease, first-in-class oral therapy, RPN-002 targets adenomyosis, a debilitating uterine condition that affects roughly one in four women undergoing gynecological evaluations. The condition is often underdiagnosed, and current treatments are limited to surgical intervention or hormonal therapy. RPN-002 is also being explored to improve outcomes in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), offering dual utility in treating female infertility.
Both assets are entering Phase 2 clinical trials, marking an important inflection point for the company and the field.
Positioning in a rapidly growing market
The market for fertility and reproductive health solutions is expanding rapidly, projected to surpass $40 billion globally by 2030. However, innovation in this space has historically lagged due to scientific complexity and underfunding, particularly when it comes to women’s health.
ReproNovo is uniquely positioned to challenge this status quo. By targeting both male and female infertility with novel, orally administered treatments, the company offers practical and scalable solutions that could disrupt outdated paradigms in fertility medicine. With increasing societal awareness around reproductive health and family planning, ReproNovo’s science-backed, patient-centric approach gives it strong tailwinds.
More than a biotech company
ReproNovo is not just another clinical-stage biotech firm, It represents a broader shift toward inclusive innovation in reproductive medicine. With strong financial backing, a compelling clinical pipeline, and a leadership team that includes a prominent female executive, the company is poised to redefine the way infertility and uterine health are treated.
As clinical trials progress and awareness grows, the company could become a leading voice in women’s health, setting the standard for how the next generation of therapies should be built, funded, and delivered.
Jean Marie Duvall, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ReproNovo stated: “We are focused on innovative therapeutic solutions for male and female infertility, as well as pioneering management options for conditions like adenomyosis. Our aim is to address critical gaps in the landscape of infertility and women’s health worldwide. We are thrilled to announce the successful closing of our $65 million Series A funding round with a strong, sector-specialised group of investors, marking a significant milestone in our journey toward becoming a leading reproductive medicine and women’s health company.”
Ksenija Pavletic, Partner & Chief Commercial Officer, Jeito Capital, stated: “As around one in six people worldwide will face infertility issues, we are proud to support ReproNovo, whose commitment to advancing novel therapies in reproductive health aligns well with our focus on accelerating cutting-edge technologies and the commercialisation of treatments with transformative benefits for patients. We were highly impressed by the ReproNovo team, whose members have a strong track record in this field, having brought several compounds successfully through clinical development and onto the market. Their deep understanding of the field will enable them to effectively address critical unmet needs that strongly impact society.”
Zina Affas Besse, Partner & Deputy Head of Healthcare Private Equity, AXA IM Alts, noted: “We are proud to support a company working to address critical gaps in reproductive medicine and women’s health. This includes indications such as adenomyosis, where no treatments currently exist, and other areas, including male infertility, where limited options are available and female infertility, where the aim is to improve success rates. We look forward to being a part of ReproNovo’s journey for the long term as they strive to improve the global treatment landscape and bring novel solutions to patients urgently in need of effective therapies.”
Hakan Goker, Managing Director, M Ventures, commented: “ReproNovo’s innovative approach to male and female infertility can significantly benefit the fertility journey for an increasingly large population worldwide. As the founding investor, we are proud to continue supporting the company to deliver their vision, to redefine the future of fertility treatments, and welcome this highly dedicated investor group, who shares that vision.”
