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Conception Says It Produced Early Human Egg Cells From Blood‑Derived Stem Cells

Independent validation followed by extensive safety testing is required before the claim can change fertility care.

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In 2016, the team’s collaborator Katuhiko Hayashi proved that mouse skin cells could be turned into ‘induced pluripotent stem cells’ (iPSCs, which are engineered cells capable of becoming any kind of cell in the body) | Representation Image

Overview

  • On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, California startup Conception announced it had generated primary human oocytes by reprogramming a blood sample into induced pluripotent stem cells and growing miniature ovarian tissue in the lab.
  • The cells reported are early-stage primary oocytes that are immature and not fertilizable, and the results have not been published or independently validated.
  • Conception’s process begins with a simple blood draw, converts blood cells into iPSCs, and then guides those iPSCs to form lab-grown ovarian tissue where egg precursors develop inside follicle-like structures.
  • CEO Matt Krisiloff posted the company update on X calling the result significant while the company cautioned clinical use is years away and will require rigorous safety testing.
  • The work builds on 2016 mouse studies that produced fertile offspring from stem-cell-derived eggs, but experts say human IVG faces major biological, safety, ethical, and regulatory hurdles before any real-world use.