Hundreds of couples trying for a baby have been left in limbo after their fertility clinic’s sudden closure.
Patients in the middle of their treatment were told by email just days before Christmas that Apricity Fertility would be ceasing all operations from January 1.
They have lost contact with their doctors, and spent the Christmas period not knowing what is happening with the embryos they have in storage, or their treatment.
Apricity Fertility, based in London, billed itself as ‘the UK’s top virtual IVF clinic’, offering consultations online and in-person treatment at partner clinics. It also provided support via an app.
The clinic partnered with major insurers including Axa and Healix, and in 2022 secured £14 million of funding to support its expansion in the UK and Europe.
The email announcing the closure, sent at 4.05pm on December 20, said: ‘Effective from 1 January, Apricity Fertility is ceasing all operations, including appointments, consultations, tests and treatments. We deeply regret any inconvenience or distress this may cause.’
Patients were given an email address to send any questions to, but only received an automated response. ‘Hundreds of women had to spend Christmas totally at sea,’ a source said.
Those affected include women starting their IVF injections who have been left in limbo and face delays. One woman, who was meant to have her embryos transferred this month, said: ‘I was waiting to get a call from my consultant to tell me what the next stage of my treatment would be.
Hundreds of couples have been left in limbo after London IVF clinic Apricity Fertility suddenly closed without warning (file photo)
Apricity’s founder, Caroline Noublanche, resigned as CEO and director of the clinic last summer
‘Instead I received the email saying the whole clinic was closing. It was shocking. In fertility treatment, even a month’s delay can make a big difference.’
The company told The Mail on Sunday that ‘financial challenges’ were behind the closure. It did not explain why patients were told so abruptly just before Christmas. It said anyone with egg or sperm cells or embryos in storage should liaise with the storage facilities in its partner clinics to ensure ‘ongoing storage renewal’.
Other fertility clinics have reported feeling ‘overwhelmed’ by distressed calls from patients trying to continue their treatment.
Apricity said in a statement on its website: ‘The team is heartbroken. Patients will either be able to continue the treatment they have paid for at a partner clinic or, if they cannot, they will receive a refund.’
Some patients been told by their insurers that they will now have to pay thousands of pounds upfront to be able to continue their treatment. Previously their costs were being covered directly by their insurer.
Mohamed Taranissi, medical director of IVF clinic ARGC, said: ‘Going through fertility treatment is an emotional journey, so you don’t need any further worries. I’m hopeful patients won’t be left in the dark for too long.’
Apricity launched in 2018 and in 2022 acquired the period tracking app Woom, which has more than 1.8 million users. That year, the clinic boasted a 46 per cent success rate per IVF cycle, compared to the UK average of 31 per cent, and said it had developed AI technology that helps identify the most suitable treatment.
Apricity is not regulated by the UK’s independent regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). Peter Thompson, chief executive of the HFEA, said: ‘By law the HFEA can only regulate UK licenced fertility clinics, which are the premises where treatments take place. The decision to cease trading was taken by Apricity’s board.
Some patients been told by their insurers that they will now have to pay thousands of pounds upfront to be able to continue their treatment (file photo)
‘Patients can contact the licenced clinic where any procedures were due to take place. We would expect Apricity to ensure that any eggs, sperm or embryos stored in the UK are looked after.’
Apricity’s founder, Caroline Noublanche, resigned as CEO and director last summer.
A spokesman for the company said: ‘Apricity Fertility was founded to transform how fertility treatment is accessed, using technology to improve outcomes. Our success rates indicate our vision was being realised.
‘Apricity Fertility faced sudden and irreversible financial difficulties in December when planned investment from a new investor was withdrawn. As soon as closure was confirmed patients and staff were immediately informed, and the team focused on ensuring continuity of care.’
Have you been affected by Apricity’s closure? Email anna.mikhailova@mailonsunday.co.uk
