Low-Cost Small Molecules to Replace bFGF, Enabling Stable and Scalable Cell Growth Benefitting R&D and Industrial Application

Heidelberg, Germany, February 13, 2025 – The Cultivated B reveals breakthrough discovering a chemical class of FGFR1 agonists mimicking basic fibroblast growth factor’s (bFGF) effect on cell proliferation, an essential component of cell-culture media. This class of small molecules offers a stable, highly cost-effective alternative, poised to transform cultivated meat, biopharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, and large-scale cell manufacturing by addressing key challenges.

Reduced Costs and Improved Stability
The discovery revolutionizes cell production by overcoming key bottlenecks such as rapid degradation, high production costs, batch variability, and complex storage requirements. Unlike traditional bFGF, small molecules remain active for over 13 days, making it an ideal choice for both R&D and industrial applications, where stability, consistency, and scalability are crucial.

As a chemically synthesized small molecule, the guanylhydrazone-based molecule ensures batch-to-batch reliability and reduces the need for frequent media supplementation, significantly lowering costs and improving user convenience. Its scalability and robust performance enhance process efficiency, drive innovation, and accelerate commercial adoption—paving the way for the next generation of bioprocessing solutions.

Shaping the Future of Biotechnology
As an industry leader in biomanufacturing innovation, The Cultivated B is driving the next generation of scalable and sustainable cell culture and fermentation solutions for organizations seeking to optimize their bioprocessing systems. The discovery of this new class opens new doors for collaboration, research partnerships, and commercial licensing.

“We are unlocking new possibilities for entire industries,” said Dr. Hamid Noori, CEO and founder of The Cultivated B. “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.”

Reflecting its synergic and fast-moving approach, The Cultivated B has published its findings on bioRxiv to provide the scientific community with early access, fostering further collaboration. The preprint and patent application are currently undergoing formal review.

For further reading, access preprint here: Link

If interested in collaboration, research partnership or commercial licensing, please contact: sales@thecultivatedb.com