Hybrid fertility and reproductive care company Kindbody announced Tuesday it had entered into an agreement to acquire Vios Fertility Institute, a network of fertility clinics.

Vios operates locations in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin. They will rebrand as Kindbody locations using its patient portal, EHR and telehealth platform, bringing the startup's clinic footprint to 26. The companies say they plan to have 40 retail locations by the end of the year.

"We founded Vios with a mission of an unparalleled patient experience and a vision of building families dreamed of by our patients," Dr. Angeline Beltsos, Vios founder and CEO, said in a statement. Beltsos will manage the company's medical team as CEO, clinical, at the combined Kindbody.

"Now, more people will have access to the personalized, high-touch experience they have come to expect from both Kindbody and Vios. Together, we have the opportunity to revolutionize fertility and family-building care and make it more accessible for all. I'm excited for what the future holds."

WHY IT MATTERS

Fertility concerns are not uncommon in the U.S. According to the CDC, around 6% of married women between the ages of 15 and 44 are unable to get pregnant after a year of trying. About 12% of women in this group have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term.

Meanwhile, more companies are offering fertility-related services, like egg-freezing or IVF, as benefits to their employees. A Mercer report found 19% of employers with 20,000 or more employees covered egg freezing in 2020, compared with 6% in 2015.

Kindbody said the deal with Vios will boost its fertility benefits offering. 

"Large employers have been asking for more Kindbody locations to serve their employees and now, together with Vios, we're better able to meet this demand. Angie is one of a kind and we couldn't be more aligned philosophically around patient-centered care.

"After more than a decade of friendship and respect for her work, I'm thrilled to bring together our combined strengths to further accelerate our mission to make fertility care more affordable and accessible for all," Gina Bartasi, Kindbody founder and CEO, said in a statement. Bartasi will continue to be chairperson and manage a new holding company focused on expansion.

THE LARGER TREND

Earlier this month, Kindbody announced it was launching at-home fertility hormone tests for men and women. The company scored $62 million in Series C funding in June 2021, bringing its total raise to $122 million. 

Other companies in the digital fertility care space include Proov, kegg, Carrot Fertility and Progyny.