Monash IVF CEO Resigns After Second Embryo Error

Monash IVF implanted wrong embryos in two cases—one in Brisbane, where a child was born without genetic ties, and another in Clayton on June 5.

Scientist Fabrice De Bond picks up a vial containing frozen donor sperm samples in a lab at Melbourne IVF in Melbourne, Australia. AP, Wong Maye-E/The Canadian Press

Monash IVF Chief Executive Michael Knaap has resigned following the company’s second high-profile embryo error in recent months, prompting the appointment of Chief Financial Officer Malik Jainudeen as acting CEO.

In a statement to the ASX, the company said it “respects” Knaap’s decision to step down, acknowledging his leadership since 2019 during a period of “significant growth and transformation.”

“Michael has led the organisation through a period of significant growth and transformation, and we thank him for his years of dedicated service,” the board said.

Knaap’s resignation came just days after Monash IVF disclosed that a patient had been implanted with the wrong embryo at its Clayton laboratory in Victoria on June 5.

It follows a similar bungle earlier this year at the company’s Brisbane clinic, where a woman was implanted with an embryo that was not biologically hers. That child was later born without any genetic link to the mother.

Monash IVF revealed it had discovered the Brisbane incident in February when a routine request to transfer remaining embryos uncovered an unexpected additional embryo.

Sector Faces Scrutiny

The back-to-back incidents have reignited calls for stronger regulation of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Australia.

Legal expert Lucinda Gunning from Carroll and O’Dea said the incidents underscored gaps in national oversight.

“Unlike some other areas of medical practice, ART exists in a fragmented legal landscape,” Gunning said.

While some states have their own laws, others rely heavily on the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee (RTAC).

She warned that this decentralisation results in inconsistencies in safety standards and complaints handling across jurisdictions.

Gunning noted that many clinics still rely on manual labelling and verbal confirmations.

“Introducing more robust electronic tracking systems, biometric verification, and mandatory dual-signature checks could significantly reduce the risk of error,” she said.

Transparency remains another area of concern. The Brisbane mix-up came to light only after an internal audit linked to unrelated patient inquiries.

Jainudeen Takes the Helm

Stepping in as acting CEO, Jainudeen brings over 20 years of financial and governance experience, including a decade at KPMG.

He joined Monash IVF in 2014 and has served as CFO and company secretary since 2019.

“Throughout his tenure, Malik has been instrumental in navigating complex regulatory environments, strengthening corporate governance, and enhancing operational efficiency,” Monash IVF said.

Before joining the company, Jainudeen acted as its external audit manager for six years and played a key role in the lead-up to Monash IVF’s ASX listing in 2014. He holds a Bachelor of Business and is a qualified chartered accountant.