In a sign of the profitability of fertility services, control of one of the world's most renowned clinics, Monash IVF, in Melbourne, Australia, is passing from Monash University to a global investment bank, ABN Amro Capital. The deal values the clinic at about A$200 million. The new investor plans to hold its stake for three or four years before selling it or floating the business on the stock exchange.

Monash IVF has been responsible for the birth of more than 20,000 babies since the late 1970s. Nine of the world's first 10 IVF babies were conceived there. Australia's largest IVF network, it controls 15 clinics in Australia and has affiliates in Sri Lanka, New Zealand and China.

There are three other major players in Australian IVF: Melbourne IVF, which is owned by doctor-investors; and Sydney IVF and IVF Australia, both owned by a combination of doctors and private investors. The head of ABN Capital Amro, Michael Taranto, says that he would be interested in buying these as well, if they came onto the market. ~ Age, Dec 15; Business Spectator, Dec 18