Minerva Biotechnologies Corporation Announces Major Breakthrough in Human Stem Cell Research

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Minerva Biotechnologies, a leading cancer and stem cell development company today announced a major breakthrough in human stem cell research. Minerva scientists converted established human stem cells to the elusive “naïve” state and maintained them there indefinitely simply by culturing the cells in the dimeric form of a natural, but newly discovered human growth factor, called NM23-H1. It is widely believed that figuring out how to stably induce naïve pluripotency in human stem cells is critical for realizing the promise of human stem cell therapies. “This is very exciting,” said Dr. Cynthia Bamdad, Minerva President and Chief Executive Officer, “Until now scientists had only been able to temporarily convert human stem cells to the naïve state by genetically modifying the cells or by treating the cells with a cocktail of biochemical inhibitors. This appears to be the natural growth factor that keeps stem cells in the truly pluripotent naïve state and overcomes what had been a major impediment to developing human stem cell therapies.”