HELIOS: Human Embryo Illumination to Enhance Development

Running, not enrolling · Not applicable

Conditions studied: IVF Outcomes

In brief

Embryos need a lot of energy to grow, but as women get older, the "power plants" of the cells (called mitochondria) don't work as well. This makes it harder for embryos to develop normally. One possible way to help is with a gentle light treatment called photobiomodulation (PBM). This uses a special type of red light that boosts energy production in cells and helps them stay healthy. This study will test whether adding this light treatment during in vitro fertilization (IVF) can improve embryo growth and pregnancy chances.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07311928

Run by

Columbia University

People needed

200

Starts

2025-12-03

Expected to finish

2028-06-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-25

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 48. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Female age between 18-48 years at time of IVF/ICSI cycle
• Undergoing blastocyst culture and PGT-A
• Using own oocytes
• Have at least two fertilized eggs available for randomization
• Consenting to embryo-level randomization
• Plan to transfer euploid embryo within 6 months

You may not qualify if…

• Use of donor eggs
• Known uterine or genetic anomalies
• Refusal of randomization or request for non-standard handling

Where it is running

• Columbia University Fertility Center — New York, New York, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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