US biotechnology startup Conception has announced that it has generated early-stage human egg cells, known as primary oocytes, from stem cells created from blood samples. The company said the cells remain immature and cannot currently be used for fertilization or pregnancy.
The company reported that the achievement involved converting blood cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which can develop into many different cell types. Researchers then guided the cells to form miniature ovarian structures containing early egg cells. The eggs have not yet reached full maturity, and additional development and safety testing are required before any clinical application can be considered.
Conception, which was founded in 2018 and was previously known as Ovid Research, is pursuing a scientific approach known as in vitro gametogenesis (IVG). IVG seeks to produce eggs or sperm from stem cells in laboratory conditions. The field has attracted interest because of its potential to address certain forms of infertility and broaden reproductive options.
Summary:
- A US startup announced that it has generated early-stage human egg cells from stem cells derived from blood samples.
- The work was carried out by California-based biotechnology company Conception and builds on advances in stem cell and reproductive biology research.
- The development could expand future fertility treatment options but faces significant scientific, ethical, and regulatory challenges.
The latest development comes as investment and research activity in stem cell technologies continue to expand globally. According to Medi-Tech Insights, the global stem cells market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 9% to 12% through 2031. The company attributes the projected expansion to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, rising research activities, supportive government initiatives, broader clinical applications of stem cell therapies in regenerative medicine, and continuing technological advances.
The growing interest in stem cell research has also attracted funding and partnerships across biotechnology and healthcare sectors. Companies and academic institutions are increasingly investing in regenerative medicine programs aimed at developing new treatments for degenerative diseases, tissue repair, and reproductive health applications. Industry observers say advances in stem cell engineering and cell manufacturing technologies could accelerate research efforts, although translating laboratory discoveries into approved medical products remains a lengthy process.
Conception said its process recreates key stages of human ovarian development instead of attempting to produce egg cells in isolation. According to its researchers, surrounding support cells are essential for the proper development and maturation of egg cells.
The latest announcement follows earlier scientific advances in animals. In 2016, researchers in Japan successfully produced healthy mice using eggs derived from stem cells. However, translating those findings to humans has proven significantly more difficult because human egg development is more complex and takes longer.
Conception said future applications could potentially benefit women experiencing age-related infertility, cancer survivors who lost reproductive function following treatment, and people born without functional ovaries. The company also suggested that the technology could eventually reduce reliance on hormone stimulation and surgical egg retrieval procedures commonly used in conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Chief Executive Officer Matt Krisiloff announced the development on social media and described it as a significant step toward the company’s long-term research objectives. However, the company acknowledged that considerable work remains before the technology can move beyond laboratory studies.
The announcement has not yet been independently validated through a peer-reviewed scientific publication. Experts in reproductive medicine have repeatedly emphasized that laboratory breakthroughs must undergo extensive review and testing before they can be translated into medical treatments.
The development also raises broader ethical and regulatory questions. Scientists and policymakers have previously highlighted concerns related to the long-term safety of stem cell-derived reproductive cells, embryo research, genetic parenthood, and equitable access to advanced fertility technologies.
Regulatory authorities in several countries currently prohibit the use of laboratory-grown human gametes in reproductive treatment. Any future clinical use would likely require extensive animal studies, long-term safety evaluations, and new regulatory frameworks governing fertility medicine and genetic technologies.
For investors and the biotechnology sector, the announcement highlights growing interest in regenerative medicine and reproductive science. For healthcare systems and patients, the research represents another step toward understanding human reproductive biology and exploring new approaches to infertility treatment.
Despite the progress, researchers caution that the technology remains experimental and that practical applications could still be many years away. The next stages are expected to focus on maturing the laboratory-generated eggs, demonstrating their safety, and determining whether the approach can eventually support human reproduction under carefully regulated conditions.
Sources:
- https://www.conception.bio/
- https://www.business-standard.com/health/us-startup-creates-human-egg-cells-from-stem-cells-but-trials-years-away-126070100363_1.html
- https://www.indiatoday.in/health/story/human-egg-cells-from-stem-cells-us-biotech-fertility-breakthrough-2938252-2026-07-01
- https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jul/05/lab-grown-sperm-and-eggs-scientists-reproduction
- https://meditechinsights.com/stem-cells-market/
Jeff Berman is a healthcare and medical technology journalist with over 7 years of experience covering the global medtech, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors. As a contributor to Just MedTech, he specializes in industry news, market trends, regulatory developments, mergers and acquisitions, and emerging innovations shaping the future of healthcare worldwide. Contact: jeff.b@justmedtech.com.