Discovery from The Cultivated B offers a cost-effective, stable alternative to basic fibroblast growth factor

The Cultivated B has announced a significant breakthrough in cell culture media with the discovery of a novel class of FGFR1 agonists that mimic the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). This innovation is set to improve cost efficiency and stability in cultivated meat production, biopharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, and large-scale cell manufacturing by addressing key challenges associated with traditional growth factors.

A major limitation of conventional bFGF is its rapid degradation, high production costs, and batch variability. The newly identified guanylhydrazone-based small molecule remains active for over 13 days, providing a stable and reliable alternative that improves consistency across bioprocessing applications.

As a chemically synthesized small molecule, this discovery ensures batch-to-batch reliability and significantly reduces the need for frequent media supplementation. By enhancing scalability and performance, it drives innovation and accelerates commercial adoption in biomanufacturing.

Unlike recombinant growth factors, which require complex storage conditions and are prone to instability, The Cultivated B’s FGFR1 agonist offers a robust, shelf-stable alternative that simplifies workflows and reduces operational costs. This makes it particularly valuable for both research institutions and industrial-scale production facilities seeking to optimize their cell culture processes.

The stability and cost-effectiveness of this new class of molecules could have a transformative impact on cultivated meat, where growth media expenses remain a critical barrier to commercial viability. By providing a reliable substitute for bFGF, The Cultivated B’s innovation could help reduce production costs, making cell-based meat more competitive with conventional animal products.

Beyond cultivated meat, the breakthrough holds promise for regenerative medicine and cell therapy, where reliable growth factor alternatives are crucial for ensuring therapeutic efficacy. The company’s findings suggest that its FGFR1 agonist could facilitate the large-scale manufacturing of stem cells and other cultured cell types, enabling broader adoption in biomedical applications.

Dr Hamid Noori, CEO & Founder of The Cultivated B, highlighted the broad implications of this development. “We are unlocking new possibilities for entire industries. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the scalability, consistency, and cost-effectiveness of cell-based product manufacturing, including applications in cultivated meat and cell therapy.”

In line with its commitment to open innovation, The Cultivated B has published its findings on bioRxiv, providing the scientific community with early access to the discovery. The company has also submitted a patent application, which is currently undergoing formal review.

By making its research publicly available, The Cultivated B aims to encourage further collaboration and accelerate industry-wide adoption of this novel approach to cell culture media. The company is actively seeking research partnerships and commercial licensing opportunities to integrate its FGFR1 agonist into a range of bioprocessing applications.