Portuguese IVF clinic Ovom Care declares insolvency, leaving hundreds of patients in limbo

Ovom Care, an IVF provider operating in Portugal, entered insolvency proceedings in late August, abruptly halting treatment for an estimated 200 patients, with British couples comprising about 60% of those affected. The clinic had been taking upfront fees of up to £10,000 and conducting procedures up to just days before the collapse, leaving many patients unable to claim refunds due to direct transfers meant to avoid currency fees.

Dr Cristina Hickman, who co-founded Ovom and now leads the London clinic Avenues, pledged to take over care for the British clientele and criticized the venture-capital-driven model as a major failure in the IVF industry. Portugal’s assisted reproduction authority, CNPMA, together with the appointed insolvency administrator, authorized the swift relocation of all stored eggs, sperm, embryos and medical files to AVA Clinic in Lisbon to protect patients’ biological assets. Ovom Care’s chief executive Felicia von Reden issued an apology and instructed patients seeking refunds to file claims with the insolvency administrator, while judicial reviews continue in Portugal and Germany.