Featured News
MelliCell Awarded $1.25 Million NSF SBIR Phase II Grant to Scale Drug Development Technology
Watertown, MA — July 2026 — MelliCell, Inc. has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant of $1,250,000 by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to scale its proprietary cell engineering technology for next-generation drug development.
The award, which runs from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2028, will fund the industrial-scale development of MelliCell's M3 technology platform — a novel system that engineers mature human fat cells with a level of physiological accuracy previously unattainable in laboratory settings.
Addressing a 50-Year Gap in Drug Development
For decades, the first stage of drug development has been limited by a fundamental problem: the cell models used to test new therapies do not faithfully reproduce the clinical features of mature human cells. This gap has contributed to high rates of failure in preclinical and clinical trials, costing the pharmaceutical industry significant time and resources.
MelliCell's M3 technology directly addresses this challenge. By producing mature human adipocytes — fat cells — that accurately replicate the shape, gene expression, and function of cells found in adult human tissue, the platform gives drug developers a more predictive model at an earlier, more cost-effective stage of the development process.
Scope of the Award
The NSF SBIR Phase II grant will support the scaling and testing of MelliCell's technology to meet the expressed needs of industry partners working to eliminate metabolic and chronic diseases. The project will include the development of novel automation devices and customized protocols, with success measured by manufacturing quality control standards and specific cellular properties.
MelliCell's work has applications across a growing range of conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and Fragile X Syndrome — conditions that share underlying metabolic disruptions.
About the NSF SBIR Program
The NSF Small Business Innovation Research program supports American small businesses in transforming scientific discoveries into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Phase II awards are granted to companies that have demonstrated technical feasibility in Phase I and are ready to scale their innovations toward commercial application.
About MelliCell
MelliCell, Inc. is a biotechnology company headquartered in Greater Boston and is developing an oral pill for obesity, autism, and dementia that targets a shared genetic switch at the root of all three diseases. Using an exclusive discovery engine, MelliCell discovered that this switch reverses obesity without muscle and bone loss similar to a keto diet. It also rescues intellectual disability and controls genes like amyloid precursor that leads to early-onset Alzheimer's when elevated. MelliCell has designed a novel, oral once-daily pill for this target and has already shown that it works safely in animals. The company is preparing for clinical trials to generate initial proof of concept and will pursue additional drug development opportunities enabled by its proprietary discovery technology. .
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Award No. 2538072. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Media Contact
MelliCell, Inc.
info@mellicell.com
www.mellicell.com
MelliCell Awarded $1.25 Million NSF SBIR Phase II Grant to Scale Drug Development Technology
Watertown, MA — July 2026 — MelliCell, Inc. has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant of $1,250,000 by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to scale its proprietary cell engineering technology for next-generation drug development.
The award, which runs from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2028, will fund the industrial-scale development of MelliCell's M3 technology platform — a novel system that engineers mature human fat cells with a level of physiological accuracy previously unattainable in laboratory settings.
Addressing a 50-Year Gap in Drug Development
For decades, the first stage of drug development has been limited by a fundamental problem: the cell models used to test new therapies do not faithfully reproduce the clinical features of mature human cells. This gap has contributed to high rates of failure in preclinical and clinical trials, costing the pharmaceutical industry significant time and resources.
MelliCell's M3 technology directly addresses this challenge. By producing mature human adipocytes — fat cells — that accurately replicate the shape, gene expression, and function of cells found in adult human tissue, the platform gives drug developers a more predictive model at an earlier, more cost-effective stage of the development process.
Scope of the Award
The NSF SBIR Phase II grant will support the scaling and testing of MelliCell's technology to meet the expressed needs of industry partners working to eliminate metabolic and chronic diseases. The project will include the development of novel automation devices and customized protocols, with success measured by manufacturing quality control standards and specific cellular properties.
MelliCell's work has applications across a growing range of conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and Fragile X Syndrome — conditions that share underlying metabolic disruptions.
About the NSF SBIR Program
The NSF Small Business Innovation Research program supports American small businesses in transforming scientific discoveries into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Phase II awards are granted to companies that have demonstrated technical feasibility in Phase I and are ready to scale their innovations toward commercial application.
About MelliCell
MelliCell, Inc. is a biotechnology company headquartered in Greater Boston and is developing an oral pill for obesity, autism, and dementia that targets a shared genetic switch at the root of all three diseases. Using an exclusive discovery engine, MelliCell discovered that this switch reverses obesity without muscle and bone loss similar to a keto diet. It also rescues intellectual disability and controls genes like amyloid precursor that leads to early-onset Alzheimer's when elevated. MelliCell has designed a novel, oral once-daily pill for this target and has already shown that it works safely in animals. The company is preparing for clinical trials to generate initial proof of concept and will pursue additional drug development opportunities enabled by its proprietary discovery technology. .
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Award No. 2538072. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Media Contact
MelliCell, Inc.
info@mellicell.com
www.mellicell.com
Other news
MelliCell welcomes Dr. Davide Ruggero to Scientific Advisory Board
MelliCell, a biotech company pioneering fat-targeted therapeutics for obesity and associated chronic disease, is proud to announce that Dr. Davide Ruggero, PhD, has joined its scientific advisory board. This addition reinforces MelliCell’s commitment to scientific excellence and innovation to improve human health.
Dr. Ruggero is the Goldberg-Benioff and Hellen Diller Family Endowed Chair, American Cancer Society Research Professor, and Professor of Urology and Cellular & Molecular Pharmacology at the University of California, San Francisco. He is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking research on how impairments in the control of mRNA translation and protein synthesis contribute to human disease. His laboratory’s pioneering work in translational control has opened new biological pathways and has laid the foundation for developing next-generation therapeutics that modulate the cellular proteome at the post-genomic level.
"Dr. Ruggero’s longstanding expertise in how the pathways that control translation steer key biological processes and intersect with human metabolism is a perfect complement to MelliCell’s mission and progress to date," said Dr. Ben Pope, CEO of MelliCell. "His discoveries have laid a groundwork that will play a critical role in guiding the development of our pipeline and platform technology."
Dr. Ruggero has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards including the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Outstanding Research Fellow Award, the V-Scholar Foundation’s Award for Cancer Research, the AACR Gertrude B. Elion Research Award, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Scholar Award, the Outstanding Investigator Award (R35) from the National Institutes of Health, and the prestigious American Cancer Society Professor Award. He is also the inventor of multiple clinical-stage drug candidates and the founding scientist of Effector Therapeutics (NASDAQ: EFTR), a biotech company that pioneered therapeutics targeting human protein translation. His leadership will help drive MelliCell’s mission forward as MelliCell prepares its first development candidates for clinical trials.
"I’m excited to join MelliCell at a time when a deeper understanding of adipocyte biology is reshaping our view of chronic diseases," said Dr. Ruggero. "MelliCell’s innovative technology is uncovering novel therapeutic strategies to reverse the progression of obesity and over 200 associated complications including cancer. MelliCell is getting at the root of chronic disease and I’m beyond excited to support the vision."
About MelliCell:
MelliCell Inc. is a biotechnology company redefining how fat cells are studied and targeted in chronic disease. By developing models that grow mature human adipocytes with physiological relevance, MelliCell is unlocking new insights into how fat cells contribute to obesity, diabetes, cancer, and other metabolic conditions. Through its proprietary M3 technology, MelliCell is building a foundation for the next generation of therapies aimed at the cellular root of metabolic dysfunction.
For more information, please visit
MelliCell Awarded $1.25 Million NSF SBIR Phase II Grant to Scale Drug Development Technology
Read MoreMelliCell Awarded $1.25 Million NSF SBIR Phase II Grant to Scale Drug Development Technology
Watertown, MA — July 2026 — MelliCell, Inc. has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant of $1,250,000 by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to scale its proprietary cell engineering technology for next-generation drug development.
The award, which runs from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2028, will fund the industrial-scale development of MelliCell's M3 technology platform — a novel system that engineers mature human fat cells with a level of physiological accuracy previously unattainable in laboratory settings.
Addressing a 50-Year Gap in Drug Development
For decades, the first stage of drug development has been limited by a fundamental problem: the cell models used to test new therapies do not faithfully reproduce the clinical features of mature human cells. This gap has contributed to high rates of failure in preclinical and clinical trials, costing the pharmaceutical industry significant time and resources.
MelliCell's M3 technology directly addresses this challenge. By producing mature human adipocytes — fat cells — that accurately replicate the shape, gene expression, and function of cells found in adult human tissue, the platform gives drug developers a more predictive model at an earlier, more cost-effective stage of the development process.
Scope of the Award
The NSF SBIR Phase II grant will support the scaling and testing of MelliCell's technology to meet the expressed needs of industry partners working to eliminate metabolic and chronic diseases. The project will include the development of novel automation devices and customized protocols, with success measured by manufacturing quality control standards and specific cellular properties.
MelliCell's work has applications across a growing range of conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and Fragile X Syndrome — conditions that share underlying metabolic disruptions.
About the NSF SBIR Program
The NSF Small Business Innovation Research program supports American small businesses in transforming scientific discoveries into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Phase II awards are granted to companies that have demonstrated technical feasibility in Phase I and are ready to scale their innovations toward commercial application.
About MelliCell
MelliCell, Inc. is a biotechnology company headquartered in Greater Boston and is developing an oral pill for obesity, autism, and dementia that targets a shared genetic switch at the root of all three diseases. Using an exclusive discovery engine, MelliCell discovered that this switch reverses obesity without muscle and bone loss similar to a keto diet. It also rescues intellectual disability and controls genes like amyloid precursor that leads to early-onset Alzheimer's when elevated. MelliCell has designed a novel, oral once-daily pill for this target and has already shown that it works safely in animals. The company is preparing for clinical trials to generate initial proof of concept and will pursue additional drug development opportunities enabled by its proprietary discovery technology. .
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Award No. 2538072. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Media Contact
MelliCell, Inc.
info@mellicell.com
www.mellicell.com
MelliCell Awarded SEED Grant with Mass General Brigham to Propel Innovation in Diabetes and Obesity
Read MoreMelliCell Awarded SEED Grant with Mass General Brigham to Propel Innovation in Diabetes and Obesity
MelliCell Inc., a biotech company pioneering adipocyte therapies for chronic disease, with the support of Mass General Brigham, one of the nation’s leading biomedical research organizations with several Harvard Medical School teaching hospitals, is proud to announce a prestigious award from the National Institutes of Health - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH/NIDDK) SEED Fund. This grant, part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, provides access to $1.2 billion in funding to support entrepreneurial and product development efforts.
“We are incredibly honored to receive this award from the NIH/NIDDK SEED Fund,” said Dr. Ben Pope, inventor of MelliCell’s core technology and a principal investigator on the work along with Dr. Luminita Pojoga, Associate Physiologist, Mass General Brigham, and Dr. Madhumita Basu, Principal Scientist at MelliCell. “This funding will help advance our work to unlock the potential of fat cells both as a therapeutic target and a source of novel biologic drugs.”
MelliCell’s foundational technology generates mature human fat tissue at scale, opening access to the tissue’s untapped potential as a target for chronic disease, a source of therapeutic adipokines, and a substrate for surgery and tissue engineering applications. This grant will support the company’s mission by specifically delivering innovative solutions that improve the health and well-being of individuals living with diabetes and obesity.
“We are excited to work with our colleagues to better understand heritable ways that adipocytes promote disease in different people,” states Dr. Pojoga. “I see near-term opportunities for patients relative to existing therapies, including a critical need to spare lean mass and improve tolerability for sustained weight loss with novel mechanisms of action.”
With the award, MelliCell and Mass General Brigham will test specific genetic mutations that change critical functional characteristics of fat cells and are associated with diabetes and obesity in humans. “This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team, as well as our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in biotech,” emphasizes Dr. Basu. “We are excited to continue our journey towards making a meaningful impact in the lives of those living with chronic disease.”
The NIH/NIDDK SEED Fund is designed to help innovative small businesses turn groundbreaking discoveries into tangible health solutions. With this significant financial support, MelliCell Inc. is poised to accelerate its research and development initiatives aimed at addressing the growing global health challenges of chronic diseases including diabetes and obesity.
About MelliCell Inc.
MelliCell Inc. is pioneering curative therapeutics for chronic disease using groundbreaking adipose engineering technologies that generate mature human fat cells in vitro. Our mission is to use this technology to discover and develop adipocyte therapies to improve the health and lives of people worldwide.
For more information, please visit www.mellicell.com or contact Sunny Oworah at sunny@mellicell.com
MelliCell Announces Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford as New Advisory Board Member
MelliCell, the pioneering startup at the forefront of combating obesity and type 2 diabetes through innovative fat cell research, is delighted to announce the addition of Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, MPA, MBA, FAAP, FACP, FAHA, FAMWA, FTOS, to its advisory board. This strategic move aligns with MelliCell's mission to revolutionize the treatment and understanding of metabolic diseases through advanced fat cell research.
Fatima Cody Stanford, an American obesity medicine physician, internist, and pediatrician and an associate professor of medicine and pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Stanford brings to MelliCell a rich legacy of expertise in obesity medicine as an Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) / Harvard Medical School (HMS). Recognized globally for her extensive research and as one of the foremost obesity medicine physician-scientists, Dr. Stanford has contributed over 200 peer-reviewed publications to the medical community, solidifying her reputation as a leading voice in the fight against obesity. Her influence extends beyond academia; Dr. Stanford's insights on obesity and health disparities have been featured on major media platforms, including CNN and PBS, highlighting her role as a prominent advocate for public health.
"Dr. Stanford's comprehensive experience and pioneering achievements in obesity medicine are invaluable to our team," said Dr. Prince Nnah, CEO of MelliCell. "Her insights will significantly enhance our strategic direction and research initiatives as we continue to develop groundbreaking solutions for those affected by obesity and diabetes. Her visibility and advocacy on platforms like CNN and PBS underscore the relevance and urgency of our mission."
As MelliCell prepares for its upcoming funding round, the addition of Dr. Stanford to the advisory board marks a pivotal moment in the company's trajectory towards establishing new standards in metabolic disease treatment. Her strategic insights and deep understanding of obesity and metabolic diseases will be instrumental in guiding MelliCell's research and development efforts.
"Joining MelliCell's dynamic team is an exciting opportunity to advance the fight against obesity through our focused research on adipose tissue," expressed Dr. Stanford. "I'm passionate about contributing to the groundbreaking work we're doing here, which has the potential to reshape treatments for obesity and significantly impact diabetes management."
About MelliCell:
MelliCell Inc. is an innovative biotech company dedicated to the discovery and development of advanced treatment solutions for obesity, a precursor to a myriad of complications, including diabetes. By focusing on adipose tissue as an endocrine organ at the cellular level, MelliCell Inc. seeks to address the root cause of the disease, improving patient outcomes and advancing the field of biotechnology. Our research aims to unlock the potential of fat cells to regulate metabolic processes, offering new pathways to combat this global health challenge.
For more information, please visit www.mellicell.com
MelliCell Inc. Awarded Competitive Grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation
Read MoreMelliCell Inc. Awarded Competitive Grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation
Research (SBIR) grant for $275,000 to conduct research and development (R&D) work on "Industrial Scale Technology for Drug Development in Mature Human Fat Cells." This project underscores MelliCell's commitment to revolutionizing obesity treatment by leveraging cellular-level insights to address the root causes of this global health challenge. The company's innovative approach promises to improve patient outcomes by tapping into the therapeutic potential of mature human fat cells.
"NSF accelerates the translation of emerging technologies into transformative new products and services," said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF Assistant Director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships. "We take great pride in funding deep-technology startups and small businesses that will shape science and engineering results into meaningful solutions for today and tomorrow."
“This grant from the NSF is a testament to the ingenuity and potential impact of our work," said Prince Nnah, CEO/Founder of MelliCell Inc. "It is a pivotal step toward realizing our vision of transforming obesity treatment and underscores our core value of doing good in the world."
All proposals submitted to the NSF SBIR/STTR program, also known as America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, undergo a rigorous merit-based review process. Once a small business is awarded a Phase I grant, it becomes eligible to apply for Phase II funding and additional supplements totaling up to $2 million. To get started, startups or entrepreneurs submit a written Project Pitch to see if their technology idea could be a good fit for the program. To learn more about America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, visit: https://seedfund.nsf.gov/
NSF has several programs that help accelerate the translation of research results to practice and provide pathways for researchers, startups and aspiring entrepreneurs to move their ideas from the laboratory to the market and society. To learn more about how NSF helps unlock future technologies for national and societal impact, visit: https://beta.nsf.gov/tip/latest.
About the U.S. National Science Foundation's Small Business Programs:
America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF awards more than $200 million annually to startups and small businesses, transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Startups working across almost all areas of science and technology can receive up to $2 million to support research and development, helping de-risk technology for commercial success. America’s Seed Fund is congressionally mandated through the Small Business Innovation Research program. The NSF is an independent federal agency with a budget of about $9.5 billion that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering.
Shining a light on PCOS
"I was diagnosed with PCOS in my early 20’s. It has destroyed my Navy career and subjected me to doctors who didn’t want to research, shipmates who devalued me, and my own anxiety and depression over my body image. PCOS is a grossly underdiagnosed condition that’s poorly understood. It insidiously plunges your body into chaos. The potential to develop type II diabetes, unexplained weight gain, and hypertriglyceridemia are just a few symptoms I had to face at my peak physical condition. When the Rear Admiral that discharged me dismissed my appeal, I committed myself to research to help find a cure for metabolic diseases. No one should have to struggle through such a devastating disease like this with no hope of a cure.”
- Christina Pizza, PCOS Fighter and MelliCell Adipocyte Researcher
We are inspired by Christina and others who are working so hard to beat metabolic diseases that affect up to 88% of the population. Together, we can find a cure!