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CompletedNCT07891793two injectionUpdated Oct 23, 2026

Late-Start Corifollitropin Alfa in Mild Ovarian Stimulation

An interventional study of Corifollitropin Alfa 150 μg and GnRH antagonist in Infertile Patient Undergoing ICSI Procedure, sponsored by Assisting Nature. Completed at 1 site in Greece. Open to female participants aged 28 Years to 43 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-23.

Sponsored by Assisting Nature · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 2 years 6 months after the study started (first participant enrolled Jan 2024, registered Jul 2026).
Updated Oct 23, 2026Newly registeredGo to Updates ↓
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
180
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
28 Years to 43 Years
Sex
Female
01

Study summary

This prospective randomized clinical study evaluates a novel physiology-oriented mild ovarian stimulation protocol based on the delayed initiation of corifollitropin alfa. Unlike conventional ovarian stimulation, which begins during the early follicular phase, the proposed protocol postpones exogenous gonadotropin administration until cycle day 4, allowing physiological follicular recruitment to occur before ovarian stimulation.

Participants are randomly assigned to one of two strategies for prevention of premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surge:

daily GnRH antagonist administration, or progesterone-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS). The primary objective is to evaluate ovarian response and the feasibility of this simplified stimulation strategy. Secondary objectives include embryological outcomes, pregnancy outcomes, gonadotropin consumption, treatment burden, and the proportion of patients completing stimulation without supplementary gonadotropin administration.

The study aims to determine whether a physiology-oriented late-start stimulation protocol can simplify IVF treatment while maintaining satisfactory embryological and clinical outcomes.

Read the detailed description

Conventional ovarian stimulation protocols initiate exogenous follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) administration during the early follicular phase to maximize follicular recruitment. Although effective, this approach may expose follicles to supraphysiological gonadotropin concentrations during the earliest stages of follicular development.

The present study evaluates a novel concept of ovarian stimulation based on delayed administration of 150 μg corifollitropin alfa on cycle day 4. The underlying hypothesis is that endogenous follicular recruitment and early follicular selection should occur under physiological endocrine regulation before exogenous ovarian stimulation is introduced.

Corifollitropin alfa was selected because its prolonged biological activity provides continuous FSH support for approximately seven days following a single administration, making it particularly suitable for this physiology-oriented stimulation concept.

Participants are prospectively randomized to receive either daily GnRH antagonist administration or progesterone-based pituitary suppression (PPOS). Apart from the method of LH suppression, all stimulation procedures, monitoring, ovulation triggering, laboratory procedures, and embryo transfer policies are identical between study groups.The study evaluates ovarian response, embryological outcomes, reproductive outcomes, gonadotropin requirements, and treatment feasibility. A predefined feasibility endpoint, the Single-Injection Completion Rate (SICR), is defined as the proportion of ovarian stimulation cycles successfully completed following a single administration of corifollitropin alfa without supplementary gonadotropin administration.

The study is designed as a proof-of-concept investigation evaluating whether delayed ovarian stimulation based on physiological follicular recruitment can simplify IVF treatment without compromising embryological competence or reproductive outcomes.

02

Conditions studied

  • Infertile Patient Undergoing ICSI Procedure
03

In context

Lead sponsor

Assisting Nature is the lead sponsor of 11 studies on the registry; 1 is open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
28 Years to 43 Years
Sexes eligible
Female
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Female participants aged 28 to 43 years at the time of enrollment.
  • Clinical diagnosis of infertility requiring IVF or ICSI treatment.
  • Planned controlled ovarian stimulation according to the study protocol.
  • Anti-Müllerian hormone concentration of 0.2 ng/mL or greater.
  • Presence of both ovaries.
  • Ability to provide written informed consent.
  • Willingness to comply with all study procedures and follow-up assessments.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Age younger than 28 years or older than 43 years.
  • Anti-Müllerian hormone concentration below 0.2 ng/mL.
  • Untreated endocrine disorders that may interfere with ovarian stimulation, including uncontrolled thyroid disease or hyperprolactinemia.
  • Contraindication to ovarian stimulation, pregnancy, or transvaginal oocyte retrieval.
  • Severe systemic disease considered by the investigator to make participation unsafe.
  • Concurrent participation in another interventional clinical study that could interfere with the study outcomes.
  • Refusal or inability to provide written informed consent.
  • Previous enrollment in this study.
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
180 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Late-Start Corifollitropin Alfa + GnRH Antagonist

    Participants receive oral placebo-free treatment according to the study protocol. On the evening of cycle day 4, a single subcutaneous injection of 150 μg corifollitropin alfa (Elonva®) is administered as part of a late-start mild ovarian stimulation protocol. Premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surge is prevented using daily administration of a GnRH antagonist. Hormonal monitoring and transvaginal ultrasound are performed on cycle day 7.Patients with serum estradiol concentrations ≤1000 pg/mL and/or fewer than two follicles measuring ≥14 mm on cycle day 7 receive supplementary 150 IU/day hMG beginning on cycle day 8 according to the predefined study protocol.Ovulation is triggered with 250 μg recombinant hCG (Ovitrelle®) when at least three follicles reach a mean diameter of 19-20 mm.

    Drug: Corifollitropin Alfa 150 μg · Drug: GnRH antagonist · Drug: Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG)

  • Experimental
    Late-Start Corifollitropin Alfa + Progesterone

    Participants receive a single subcutaneous injection of corifollitropin alfa 150 μg on the evening of cycle day 4. Premature LH surge is prevented using daily oral progesterone as part of a progesterone-primed ovarian stimulation protocol. Patients with serum estradiol concentrations ≤1000 pg/mL and/or fewer than two follicles measuring ≥14 mm on cycle day 7 receive supplementary 150 IU/day hMG beginning on cycle day 8 according to the predefined study protocol.

    Drug: Corifollitropin Alfa 150 μg · Drug: Progesterone · Drug: Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG)

Interventions

  • A single subcutaneous injection of 150 μg corifollitropin alfa administered on the evening of cycle day 4 as part of a late-start mild ovarian stimulation protocol.

    Also known as: Elonva 150μg

  • Daily GnRH antagonist administration for prevention of premature LH surge according to the study protocol.

  • Oral micronized progesterone is administered daily as part of progesterone-primed ovarian stimulation for the prevention of a premature LH surge. Treatment is continued until ovulation triggering according to the predefined study protocol.

  • Additional hMG (150 IU/day) administered only when predefined clinical criteria are met according to the study protocol.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of Mature (MII) Oocytes Retrieved per Initiated Stimulation Cycle

    The number of mature metaphase II (MII) oocytes obtained following ovarian stimulation, assessed at the time of oocyte retrieval. The outcome will be expressed as the number of MII oocytes per initiated stimulation cycle. Participants whose cycles are cancelled before oocyte retrieval or who have no mature oocytes retrieved will be assigned a value of zero.

    Time frame: From initiation of ovarian stimulation through oocyte retrieval, up to 14 days.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Total Number of Oocytes Retrieved per Initiated Stimulation Cycle

    The total number of oocytes obtained during transvaginal oocyte retrieval. The outcome will be expressed as the number of retrieved oocytes per initiated stimulation cycle. Participants whose cycles are cancelled before oocyte retrieval or who have no oocytes retrieved will be assigned a value of zero.

    Time frame: From initiation of ovarian stimulation through oocyte retrieval, up to 14 days.

  2. Oocyte maturation rate

    The percentage of retrieved oocytes classified as mature metaphase II (MII) oocytes. The maturation rate will be calculated as the number of MII oocytes divided by the total number of retrieved oocytes, multiplied by 100. The analysis will include participants with at least one retrieved oocyte.

    Time frame: At oocyte retrieval, up to 14 days after initiation of ovarian stimulation.

  3. Normal fertilization rate (2PN)

    The percentage of injected mature oocytes demonstrating normal fertilization, defined by the presence of two pronuclei (2PN) following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The fertilization rate will be calculated as the number of normally fertilized (2PN) oocytes divided by the total number of injected MII oocytes, multiplied by 100.

    Time frame: At fertilization assessment, 1 day after ICSI.

  4. Blastocyst formation rate

    The percentage of normally fertilized (2PN) embryos developing into blastocysts by day 6 of embryo culture. The blastocyst formation rate will be calculated as the total number of blastocysts formed by day 6 divided by the number of normally fertilized (2PN) oocytes, multiplied by 100.

    Time frame: From fertilization through day 6 of embryo culture.

  5. Number of Usable Blastocysts per Oocyte Retrieval

    The total number of blastocysts considered suitable for embryo transfer or cryopreservation according to predefined laboratory morphological assessment criteria. Blastocysts will be assessed on days 5 and 6 of embryo culture.

    Time frame: From fertilization through day 6 of embryo culture.

  6. Total Supplementary Gonadotropin Consumption

    The cumulative dose of supplementary human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) administered during ovarian stimulation, expressed in International Units (IU). Supplementary hMG may be administered at a dose of 150 IU daily from cycle day 8 according to predefined hormonal and ultrasonographic response criteria. Participants who do not require supplementary hMG will be assigned a value of zero. The initial administration of 150 μg corifollitropin alfa will not be included in the calculation of supplementary hMG consumption.

    Time frame: From initiation of ovarian stimulation through ovulation triggering or cycle cancellation, up to 14 days.

  7. Clinical Pregnancy Rate per Embryo Transfer

    The percentage of embryo transfer procedures resulting in clinical pregnancy. Clinical pregnancy is defined as ultrasonographic confirmation of at least one intrauterine gestational sac with fetal cardiac activity. All fresh and frozen embryo transfers involving embryos derived from the study stimulation cycle and performed within 6 months after oocyte retrieval will be included. The clinical pregnancy rate will be calculated as the number of embryo transfer procedures resulting in clinical pregnancy divided by the total number of embryo transfer procedures performed within the specified follow-up period, multiplied by 100.

    Time frame: From oocyte retrieval through clinical pregnancy assessment, up to 9 months.

  8. Ongoing Pregnancy Rate per Embryo Transfer

    The percentage of embryo transfer procedures resulting in an ongoing pregnancy. Ongoing pregnancy is defined as the presence of a viable intrauterine pregnancy with fetal cardiac activity at 12 completed weeks of gestation. All fresh and frozen embryo transfers involving embryos derived from the study stimulation cycle and performed within 6 months after oocyte retrieval will be included. The ongoing pregnancy rate will be calculated as the number of embryo transfer procedures resulting in ongoing pregnancy divided by the total number of embryo transfer procedures performed within the specified follow-up period, multiplied by 100.

    Time frame: From oocyte retrieval through ongoing pregnancy assessment, up to 10 months.

  9. Live Birth Rate per Embryo Transfer

    The percentage of embryo transfer procedures resulting in the delivery of at least one live-born infant. Live birth is defined as the complete expulsion or extraction of a fetus from the mother, irrespective of gestational age, showing evidence of life after birth. All fresh and frozen embryo transfers involving embryos derived from the study stimulation cycle and performed within 6 months after oocyte retrieval will be included. Multiple live-born infants resulting from a single embryo transfer procedure will be counted as one live birth event. The live birth rate will be calculated as the number of embryo transfer procedures resulting in at least one live birth divided by the total number of embryo transfer procedures performed within the specified follow-up period, multiplied by 100.

    Time frame: From oocyte retrieval through delivery, up to 18 months.

  10. Single-Injection Completion Rate (SICR)

    The percentage of participants completing ovarian stimulation using a single subcutaneous injection of 150 μg corifollitropin alfa without requiring supplementary gonadotropin administration. Successful single-injection completion is defined as reaching ovulation triggering without supplementary hMG or other gonadotropin administration. The rate will be calculated as the number of participants achieving single-injection completion divided by the total number of participants who initiated ovarian stimulation, multiplied by 100.

    Time frame: From initiation of ovarian stimulation through ovulation triggering or cycle cancellation, up to 14 days.

  11. Requirement for Supplementary hMG Administration

    The percentage of participants requiring supplementary human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) following the initial administration of 150 μg corifollitropin alfa. Supplementary hMG is administered from cycle day 8 when predefined hormonal and ultrasonographic criteria for continuation without additional gonadotropins are not fulfilled. The rate will be calculated as the number of participants receiving at least one supplementary hMG injection divided by the total number of participants who initiated ovarian stimulation, multiplied by 100.

    Time frame: From initiation of ovarian stimulation through ovulation triggering or cycle cancellation, up to 14 days.

  12. Cumulative Live Birth Rate per Initiated Stimulation Cycle

    The percentage of initiated ovarian stimulation cycles resulting in at least one live birth following the transfer of embryos derived from the corresponding stimulation cycle. All fresh and frozen embryo transfers performed within 6 months after oocyte retrieval will be included. Each initiated stimulation cycle will be counted only once, regardless of the number of embryo transfers performed or the number of live-born infants. The cumulative live birth rate will be calculated as the number of initiated stimulation cycles resulting in at least one live birth divided by the total number of initiated stimulation cycles, multiplied by 100.

    Time frame: From initiation of ovarian stimulation through delivery, up to 18 months.

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Assisting Nature Fertility Clinic
    Thessaloniki, Greece
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided — we not decided yet

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Timeline

1 registry update since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reached

Ran from Jan 2024 to primary completion in May 2026, 28 months.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Jul 27, 2026
First posted
Oct 23, 2026
StartActual
Jan 1, 2024
Primary completionActual
May 1, 2026
CompletionActual
Jun 30, 2026
Last update
Oct 23, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
Registered
First appeared on the registry. No changes since
Oct 23, 2026
Show all 1 update
  1. Oct 23, 2026
    First appeared on the registry

From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07891793
Lead sponsor
Assisting Nature
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Oct 23, 2026
Start date
Jan 1, 2024
Primary completion
May 1, 2026
Completion
Jun 30, 2026
Last update
Oct 23, 2026

Study contacts

Robert Najdecki, PhD
study director · Assisting Nature Fertility and Genetics

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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