Genosis looks to US market to boost fertility test sales

UK company Genosis, which introduced the home fertility test Fertell on the UK high street in January 2006 through Boots stores, made an operating loss of £2.21m in the six months to 30 June 2005.

Paul Bateman, ceo of Genosis said: "The 6 months ended 30 June 2006 have been a challenging period for the company with initial sales in the UK being lower than expected. Nevertheless, we are delighted that Fertell is now available in the UK and Ireland and look forward to its introduction into the key United States market."

In addition to stocking the Fertell couples test, Boots intends to distribute a female only version of Fertell that will be launched in January 2007.

The company believes the key market for the success of Fertell is the US and has established a sales and marketing presence there and is discussing distribution options with a number of US retail chains. There will be a launch of Fertell at the meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine on 21 October 2006.

Genosis plans to focus its resources on the US and the UK, and not enter mainland European or other markets at this time. The level of sales achieved so far has also led to a programme of further production automation, initiated with Mikron, to be deferred.