Minerva Biotechnologies announced a European distribution agreement with CellSystems GmbH a European life science supplier, for AlphaSTEM Naïve Stem Cell Culture System.
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.
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.
“Our products will advance stem cell based disease research as well as accelerate the timeline to clinical applications of regenerative medicine,” said Dr. Cynthia Bamdad, CEO of Minerva Biotechnologies. “Minerva’s stem cell technology solves the manufacturing, safety and quality issues that have impeded the development of regenerative therapies. We are pleased to partner with CellSystems in making this cell culture system available to European scientists.”