In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Cory Smith is joined by Christian Kramme, Chief Scientific Officer of Gameto, a biotechnology company rethinking reproductive medicine through cell engineering, Christian's work focuses on using iPSC-derived ovarian support cells to improve IVF outcomes by enabling egg maturation outside the body, while avoiding genetic modification or implantation of stem cells into patients.

Drawing from his training in the Church Lab at Harvard Medical School, Christian sits at the intersection of stem cell biology, translational medicine, and reproductive health. With Gameto's lead product now in Phase III clinical trials, this conversation explores how cell therapies can quietly reshape IVF, why process is often the true product in biotechnology, and what responsible innovation looks like when the stakes include future generations.

00:00 - Gameto’s iPSC product: First FDA phase three clearance in reproductive health

02:08 - Christian Kramme’s background and journey from Harvard to biotech founder

06:26 - How Gameto’s support cell approach differs from other reproductive biotech efforts

10:08 - Current IVF challenges and how support cells enable faster, less drug-dependent treatments

11:52 - Safety measures ensuring support cells do not transfer or integrate into embryos

17:24 - Donor cell line selection, GMP manufacturing, and consistency across lots

21:25 - Clinical trial outcomes so far and operational milestones for scale-up

25:25 - How clinical labs can integrate support cell therapies with existing IVF infrastructure

28:34 - Upcoming trial endpoints, patient recruitment, and next steps

30:52 - Advice for patients navigating infertility and importance of early intervention

34:39 - Ethical considerations in stem cell therapies and responsible innovation in reproductive medicine

40:50 - Expanding the platform: menopause, ovarian support, and beyond

50:29 - The future of support cells: potential in other organ systems and therapies

55:23 - Addressing genomic safety: vector choice and integration site analysis

62:25 - Science fiction influence on Christian’s scientific worldview and favorite authors/books

63:07 - Advice for young scientists: pursue impact, stay optimistic, and integrate diverse pathways

Christian Kramme: Rebuilding IVF with iPSC-Derived Support Cells