More than a dozen fertility patients have won a High Court battle to save their embryos, eggs and sperm from destruction after paperwork mistakes.

The ruling followed errors that meant patients did not renew consent to store their biological material within the 10-year window required by law.

In some cases, fertility clinics failed to notify those affected.

Lawyers for 15 groups affected by the errors, including some former cancer patients, asked the court in London to declare it would be lawful for the embryos or cells to remain in storage, despite consent expiring in June 2025.

In an unusual move, the application was unopposed, with no objections from the clinics, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority or the health secretary.

Mrs Justice Morgan ruled that it would be lawful in 14 of the 15 cases for the material to continue to be stored and used. She said laws around human fertilisation and embryology were “unbending” but added that “the rigidity of the scheme is not rigidity for its own sake”.

She continued: “It is surely consent that is important, not consent by an immutable date.

“I find it hard to conclude that parliament intended the possibility of parenthood should be removed by the ticking of a clock, not in the cliched phrase, the ticking of the biological clock, but by the ticking of the clock beyond midnight of the day when existing consent expires, whatever might be the circumstances.”

Under the law, fertility clinics need written consent from clients every 10 years to continue storing biological material.

The rules are intended to prevent cells being kept or used without people’s knowledge or permission.

Because of delays and difficulty accessing fertility treatment during the pandemic, the law allowed a two-year extension, meaning people using the service on 1 July 2020 were granted extra time. Confusion caused by the extension meant some clinic users were not notified when they needed to renew consent, so it lapsed.

In the one case where the judge ruled against the request, the circumstances were legally different.

Morgan said the pair involved had not originally consented to an embryo being stored, but one had been retained accidentally and they now wished to use it.

She said: “There was never, on their case, a consent to renew.

“To be permitted to take advantage of the storage of the embryo which they say ‘contradicted’ their express wishes because the clinic acted on the wrong consent form to change their mind is not in my judgment renewing consent. It is a change of consent.”

If you’ve been asking yourself whether your fertility innovation deserves a place among the Femtech World Awards nominees, understanding what judges value can help you see your work through their eyes.

Ultimately, the judges are seeking solutions that demonstrate genuine impact on people’s fertility journeys.

This means your innovation should address a real and significant challenge that individuals face when trying to conceive, preserve their fertility or understand their reproductive health.

Perhaps you’ve developed a diagnostic tool that catches issues earlier, created a treatment option that’s more accessible or affordable, or designed a platform that provides support during an emotionally challenging time.

The key is showing how your solution makes a meaningful difference to real people.

True Innovation Takes Many Forms

Innovation itself takes many forms, and judges appreciate this diversity.

Your entry might feature cutting-edge artificial intelligence that predicts optimal conception windows, a novel medical device that improves IVF success rates, or even a brilliantly simple approach that removes barriers to existing treatments.

What matters is that you’re doing something distinctly different or better than what currently exists. Judges want to understand not just what your innovation does, but why the traditional approach fell short and how your solution represents a genuine leap forward.

Evidence Matters

Evidence carries considerable weight in the judging process. While every innovation begins with a vision, the strongest entries demonstrate that their solution actually works.

This doesn’t necessarily mean you need years of clinical trials or thousands of users, though such data certainly strengthens your case.

Even early-stage innovations can present compelling evidence through pilot results, user testimonials, expert validation or proof-of-concept studies.

Judges are looking for innovators who’ve moved beyond theory to show real-world promise, even if your solution is still scaling.

Accessibility and Reach

Accessibility and reach matter tremendously in fertility innovation.

The judges consider whether your solution can benefit a broad population or addresses the needs of underserved communities.

Perhaps your innovation reduces the cost of fertility treatments, brings specialist care to remote areas through telemedicine or tackles male fertility issues that have historically received less attention.

Solutions that democratise access to fertility care or serve overlooked populations often stand out because they expand who can benefit from reproductive healthcare advances.

The Team Behind the Vision

The team behind the innovation also factors into judging decisions.

Strong entries come from teams that demonstrate deep understanding of the fertility landscape, combine relevant expertise and show capacity to actually deliver on their vision.

Judges want to know that you’re not just creating something interesting in isolation but that you understand the clinical, regulatory and practical realities of bringing your innovation to those who need it.

Clear Communication

Judges also value clear thinking and communication.

Your entry should articulate your innovation’s purpose, mechanism and impact in language that’s precise but accessible.

The ability to explain complex science or technology in understandable terms often reflects how well you truly grasp your own innovation and suggests you’ll be effective at bringing it to market and educating users.

Future Potential

Finally, judges consider your innovation’s future potential.

Where could this technology or approach lead? Might it inform other areas of reproductive health? Could it scale to help significantly more people?

The most exciting entries often hint at broader possibilities while remaining grounded in current achievements.

Your Innovation Deserves Recognition

If you’re reading this and recognising your own work in these criteria, you’re likely sitting on an award-worthy innovation.

The recognition, visibility and validation that come with being a nominee or winner can open doors, attract investment and ultimately help your solution reach more people who desperately need it.

Find out more about the Femtech World Awards and enter for free here.