AI Ultrasound Imaging Biomarkers for Fertility Clinical Trials | IAG and Ferring Partnership
Image Analysis Group and Ferring Pharmaceuticals Enter Validation Phase of AI Imaging Project
London, UK – 06 January 2026 – AI ultrasound imaging is being used by Image Analysis Group (IAG), a global imaging clinical research organization (iCRO) specializing in clinical trial imaging and AI‑driven data analytics, in a strategic collaboration with Ferring Pharmaceuticals that has now entered the validation phase of their AI‑driven imaging project, leveraging real‑world imaging data from leading fertility institutions, the Fertility Centers of Illinois (FCI), Chicago, USA, a proud partner of the US Fertility Network, and DEXEUS, Barcelona, Spain.
The collaboration leverages large-scale, real-world ultrasound imaging datasets to validate and extend an AI-driven proof-of-concept model originally developed using clinical trial data. By integrating high-resolution ultrasound imaging with IAG’s proprietary AI analytics platform, DYNAMIKA, and Ferring’s clinical expertise, the partnership aims to confirm the clinical utility of predictive AI tools and imaging biomarkers for fertility and women’s health, creating robust, regulator-ready imaging endpoints for future trials.
How Does AI Analyze Ultrasound Imaging Data in Fertility Clinical Trials?
The project focuses on developing AI ultrasound imaging biomarkers and predictive AI models to identify the optimal physiological window for conception, helping clinicians tailor fertility treatments to individual patients and supporting sponsors who need sensitive, imaging-based endpoints in fertility clinical trials and reproductive medicine studies. This imaging-led approach bridges the gap between controlled trial innovation and everyday clinical practice, demonstrating how a dedicated effort can translate AI models into real-world clinical decision support.
This collaboration is among the first to translate AI-driven imaging biomarkers from controlled fertility clinical trials into real-world fertility practice, potentially setting a new standard for personalized reproductive medicine. Since the inception of this collaboration in 2024, IAG and Ferring have developed and validated a proof-of-concept AI model using clinical trial data, demonstrating its potential to identify optimal physiological windows for conception. The project has established robust AI ultrasound imaging biomarkers and centralized image management workflows, setting new standards for data integrity and clinical relevance in fertility research.
Imaging and clinical data from this collaboration will be securely managed and analyzed through IAG’s validated digital infrastructure, ensuring full compliance with international standards for data integrity, security and privacy. IAG’s cloud-native DYNAMIKA platform provides centralized image management, blinded independent review and AI-enabled analytics, enabling sponsors to run multi-centre fertility and women’s health imaging trials with consistent quality, auditability and faster time to insight.
Milestones Since 2024: AI Model and Imaging Endpoints
Since the inception of the collaboration in 2024, IAG and Ferring have developed and validated a proof‑of‑concept AI ultrasound imaging model using fertility clinical trial data, demonstrating its potential to identify optimal physiological windows for conception and support decision‑making in fertility clinical trials. The project has established robust AI ultrasound imaging biomarkers and centralized image‑management workflows, setting new standards for data integrity and clinical relevance in fertility research.
How Will AI Imaging Improve Fertility Treatment Decisions in Everyday Practice?
Once validated, the AI ultrasound imaging models developed by IAG and Ferring are intended to support clinicians in timing and tailoring fertility interventions, by providing structured, imaging‑based insights at key points in the treatment pathway for fertility clinical trials and routine care. By identifying an optimal physiological window for conception and highlighting AI‑derived imaging biomarkers associated with better outcomes, AI‑supported ultrasound assessments can inform decisions on cycle planning, dose adjustments and the timing of insemination or embryo transfer.
In everyday practice, these standardized imaging biomarkers and predictive scores can help fertility specialists personalize care, reduce trial‑and‑error, and potentially shorten time to pregnancy for suitable patients, while maintaining clinician oversight and integrating seamlessly with existing ultrasound workflows at centres such as FCI and Dexeus.
Partner Perspectives on AI-Driven Fertility Imaging
“Our collaboration has demonstrated the power of combining advanced imaging, AI, and clinical expertise to deliver actionable insights for fertility care and women’s health,” said Dr. Olga Kubassova, CEO of Image Analysis Group. “We are excited to validate our approach in real-world clinical settings. By working closely with Ferring and our world-class clinical collaborators, we aim to deliver imaging-driven, actionable science that brings meaningful benefits to patients worldwide and sets a new standard for imaging in clinical trials.”
“This phase marks the culmination of a multi-year partnership. By validating our AI-driven imaging model with real-world fertility data, we’re bridging the gap between clinical trial innovation and everyday clinical practice, delivering actionable insights that can truly personalize care for patients,” said Dr. Philippe Pinton, Senior Vice President, Ferring Pharmaceuticals.
Fertility Centers of Illinois (FCI), proud partner of US Fertility, is one of the nation’s leading fertility practices, delivering advanced reproductive endocrinology services to patients across Midwest America, generating rich and highly valuable, real-world ultrasound and laboratory imaging datasets. FCI has a long-standing track record in applying deep clinical expertise and individualized patient care in in vitro fertilization, third-party reproduction, fertility preservation and infertility clinical trials.
Through this collaboration with IAG, FCI integrates imaging into every stage of the fertility journey – from diagnostic ultrasound and treatment monitoring to embryo assessment – making it an ideal partner for validating AI-driven imaging biomarkers in women’s health. Combining IAG’s centralized imaging and AI analytics capabilities with FCI’s high-volume, imaging-rich workflows, this partnership supports the development of robust, clinically relevant imaging endpoints for fertility trials and accelerates the adoption of AI-guided decision support in reproductive medicine.
“At FCI, we believe that innovation happens when clinical expertise meets cutting-edge technology. This collaboration brings together our extensive real-world data with IAG’s advanced imaging analytics and Ferring’s clinical insight to set a new standard in personalized fertility care,” said Meike Uhler, MD, Fertility Centers of Illinois.
Hospital Universitari Dexeus in Barcelona is a leading European centre for obstetrics, gynaecology, and reproductive medicine, with more than 80 years of experience and one of the largest IVF laboratories in Europe. As a pioneer in assisted reproduction – responsible for milestones such as the first Spanish IVF birth and early adoption of advanced embryo monitoring – Dexeus performs thousands of assisted reproduction cycles each year and relies on high-quality ultrasound and diagnostic imaging to guide complex fertility care. Its integrated hospital environment, state-of-the-art imaging facilities and strong research culture make Dexeus an ideal partner for IAG and Ferring in validating AI-driven imaging biomarkers and establishing robust, clinically relevant imaging endpoints for fertility and women’s health clinical trials.
“Dexeus Mujer has a long tradition of combining cutting-edge reproductive medicine with high-quality imaging, and this collaboration is a natural extension of that mission. By contributing our real-world ultrasound data and clinical expertise, we are excited to help IAG and Ferring validate AI-driven imaging tools that can refine how we time treatments, personalize fertility care, and ultimately improve outcomes for patients in everyday practice,” said Professor Dr. Nikolaos Polyzos, Head of the Reproductive Medicine Department at Dexeus Mujer, Hospital Universitari Dexeus.
Who Is Ferring Pharmaceuticals in Reproductive Medicine and Women’s Health?
Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a research‑driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group committed to helping people build families and live better lives, with a strong heritage in reproductive medicine and women’s health. Headquartered in Switzerland, Ferring develops, manufactures and markets innovative treatments in reproductive medicine and maternal health, gastroenterology and urology, with a global presence in multiple countries.
Who Is Image Analysis Group in Clinical Trial Imaging and AI?
Image Analysis Group (IAG) is a global imaging clinical research organization (iCRO) focused on de-risking and accelerating drug development through advanced imaging science and AI. IAG designs and runs imaging-centric clinical trials across oncology, immunology, neurology, rare diseases, musculoskeletal conditions, fertility and women’s health, partnering closely with biotech and pharma sponsors from early proof-of-concept through pivotal and real-world evidence studies.
Through its proprietary, cloud-native DYNAMIKA platform, IAG integrates centralized imaging workflows, blinded independent review, expert readers and AI-powered imaging biomarkers to deliver high-quality, regulator-ready imaging endpoints and decision-enabling insights that optimize trial design, reduce operational risk and unlock the full value of imaging data.
The project forms part of IAG’s broader initiative as an imaging-focused CRO to expand global research collaborations around AI-guided imaging biomarkers, aimed at improving clinical decision support and optimizing trial outcomes across therapeutic areas, including fertility, women’s health, osteoporosis, oncology and immunology.
You can read the full PR article here: Image Analysis Group (IAG) and Ferring Pharmaceuticals Enter Validation Phase of AI Imaging Project
Media contact:
Marie Fussell
IAG Communications Lead
press@ia-grp.com
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