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NewsNewsLG Chem launches Kitazato IVF equipment in Korea, expanding from drugs to full IVF procedures with preservation-focused solutions.
LG Chem has introduced in vitro fertilization (IVF) equipment from Japan’s Kitazato in Korea, broadening its infertility treatment business beyond ovulation-inducing agents to encompass the full IVF procedure, including oocyte and embryo freezing and thawing, oocyte retrieval devices, and embryo culture research supplies.
The product lineup supports the entire IVF process and includes freezing and thawing solutions with high gamete preservation performance demonstrated across 295 studies, which the company says will help provide a more stable and predictable clinical environment in Korea’s assisted reproduction market. LG Chem stated the launch will accelerate its shift from a pharmaceuticals-led approach to a comprehensive procedural offering in reproductive medicine.
The move comes amid sharp growth in fertility preservation in Korea, as social trends such as later marriage drive demand for oocyte and sperm cryopreservation. According to the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA), oocyte cryopreservation cases rose about 16-fold from 5,348 in 2013 to 85,159 in 2022, underscoring rapid expansion of the preservation segment feeding into IVF cycles.
Overseas studies cited in the announcement emphasize that the age at which oocytes are frozen significantly affects later pregnancy outcomes, with some findings indicating that 15–20 oocytes may be needed to achieve one live birth if preserved under age 38, increasing to 25–30 for women aged 38–40 at the time of freezing. The Kitazato equipment and media introduced by LG Chem are intended to support critical steps such as vitrification and warming, where preservation and post-thaw survival rates directly influence success.
By distributing Kitazato’s IVF procedure products domestically, LG Chem aims to complement its existing fertility drug portfolio and become a partner to clinics across the full trajectory of infertility care, from stimulation to laboratory handling and embryo transfer preparation. The company framed the initiative as a quality- and outcomes-focused expansion designed to enhance procedural stability at clinics and improve predictability for patients and providers alike.
“LG CHEM will be a partner that prepares together for the important moments in customers’ lives, from the start of infertility treatment to a successful pregnancy,” said Kim Seong-ho, head of Specialty Care at LG Chem, highlighting the company’s intent to support comprehensive reproductive care with proven products.
With the introduction of Kitazato IVF equipment in Korea, LG Chem is positioned to leverage rising demand for fertility preservation and technologically advanced laboratory workflows, potentially strengthening clinic capabilities and expanding access to standardized, research-backed IVF solutions. The deployment signals a strategic deepening of LG Chem’s role in Korea’s ART ecosystem, aligning product breadth with demographic and clinical trends shaping treatment pathways.
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