The Need

Pre-term Labor problem:
Labor before the 37th week of gestation
Pre-term birth affects 11% of annual births in the U.S.
The major cause of peri-natal morbidity
Causes 75% of infant deaths and 50% of long-term neurological handicaps

Neonatal survival rate improves by 2% per day (23rd-26th week)
Any treatment that prevents premature birth will profoundly reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity rates

Neonatal Intensive Care Units

1.5M pre-term babies in the Western world annually
4.5M NICU hospitalization weeks
Cost of $45-65B

Pre-term Labor Prevention

It is difficult to identify women at risk for pre-term labor
No treatment has been proven to be effective for more than 24-48 hours
Existing remedies:
Uterine contraction inhibition agents
Surgical strengthening of the cervix
IV fluids and bed rest

Labor Induction Reasons

Pregnancy has gone two weeks or more past the due date
Water breaking prematurely
Pregnancy-induced high blood pressure
Other medical complications