Minerva Biotechnologies

Minerva Biotechnologies is the first company to generate human naïve state induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) using a single, naturally occurring human stem cell growth factor that is only expressed in the naïve cells of the inner cell mass during the earliest days of embryogenesis. Using Minerva's AlphaSTEM™ Culture System, iPSC generation is simpler and orders of magnitude more efficient, cell expansion is faster, scalable, and can be completely automated since it eliminates unwanted spontaneous differentiation while maintaining a normal karyotype, and differentiation efficiency is increased with improved yield, cell quality, and functionality. AlphaSTEM® Culture System is a simple, natural method for inducing the naïve state in human stem cells without the use of biochemical inhibitors. Naïve stem cells do not yet have DNA methylation marks that have already committed the cells to certain developmental decisions. Directed differentiation efficiency and functionality are increased with 'clean slate' AlphaSTEM® ​ naïve cells. Stem cells cultured in AlphaSTEM® maintain normal karyotype for at least 70 passages. Stem cell expansion is faster and scalable, and can be completely automated since it eliminates unwanted spontaneous differentiation. Further, iPSC generation in AlphaSTEM® Culture System is orders of magnitude more efficient than FGF-based reprogramming.