Dr. Chas Easley was building a successful academic career, with his research focusing on how environmental exposures impact male fertility. But what began as a fascination with stem cells soon pushed his work beyond the bounds of the university lab.
Since joining the University of Georgia in 2016, where he serves as Associate Dean of Research in the College of Public Health, Easley has also founded Fertilligen, a biotech startup aiming to transform how male infertility is treated.
That leap from lab to startup didn’t happen in isolation, but rather with an email on his first day on the job offering support from UGA’s Innovation District and Innovation Gateway. With this unexpected university interest, Easley began turning years of research into a real-world solution for patients who currently have few options.
“When I got here, Innovation Gateway reached out right away. They said, ‘This is incredible. Let’s talk about what you can do with it.’ That early enthusiasm was a game-changer,” Easley said. “It was the first time someone really said, ‘Let’s take this big.’”
Fertilligen is now in development as a company that aims to provide new treatment options for male infertility, particularly for the 45 percent of fertility patients who currently have no viable path forward. But the technical science behind that vision, while impressive, is only part of the story. What makes this effort remarkable is how deeply rooted it is in the entrepreneurial ecosystem at UGA, and how that ecosystem is helping shape not just a company, but a broader vision for what faculty-driven innovation can look like.
Through Innovation Gateway, Easley was connected to experienced mentors, university-backed resources, and the practical tools he needed to get Fertilligen off the ground. Among the most pivotal moments in the company’s formation was his introduction to David Abernathy, who came on as Fertilligen’s CEO.
“I needed help with the business side, someone who could handle investor conversations and strategic planning. David was the missing piece,” Easley said. “That allowed me to stay focused on the research while he built out the company.” The partnership quickly gained momentum, thanks in part to the Georgia Research Alliance, which provides critical support to university-based startups across the state. In addition to awarding Fertilligen a pilot grant to advance their early research, GRA matched initial investor funding and offered guidance on navigating the path from lab discovery to commercial application.
“The support from GRA has been huge,” Easley said. “They don’t just give you money. They help you think through your next move, connect you with the right people, and really validate your work in a way that builds credibility.”
That credibility matters now more than ever, as Fertilligen prepares for its next chapter: raising capital, finalizing a clinical trial plan, and bringing its first treatment closer to patients. Easley knows there’s still a long road ahead, but he sees UGA as a place uniquely equipped to help faculty walk that path.
“What’s special about UGA is the culture. It’s not just that we have Innovation Gateway and the Innovation District. It’s that everyone there is genuinely excited for your success,” he said. “It’s the kind of place where if you have an idea, people say, ‘Let’s figure out how to make it happen.’ That’s not the case everywhere.”
That enthusiasm and encouragement have extended beyond the lab. Easley was recently selected to speak at TEDxUGA, an opportunity he sees as a major step forward in telling Fertilligen’s story. “I hope the TEDx talk helps us explain what we’re trying to do in a way that’s clear, compelling, and grounded in purpose,” he said. “We want to reach people outside the scientific community—potential partners, future patients, funders—and help them understand why this matters. It’s not just a science story. It’s a human story.”
The talk has already been selected as a global pick by TED, delaying its public release but expanding its eventual reach. For Easley, that broader platform could make all the difference. “It’s one thing to share your research at a conference. It’s another to stand on a stage and talk to the world,” he said. “If we can use this moment to open doors, spark conversations, and attract the right support, that would be a huge win.”
As Fertilligen continues to develop, Easley remains deeply connected to his academic roots. His lab at UGA still plays a key role in driving research forward, and he sees the university as a critical partner in whatever comes next.
“There are so many faculty members doing great work who don’t realize they can take it beyond the lab,” he said. “That first email from Innovation Gateway changed the course of my career. I want others to get that same chance.”
