Reduction of Activin A gives rise to comparable expression of key definitive endoderm and mature beta cell markers.

Cell therapies for diabetes rely on differentiation of stem cells into insulin-producing cells, which is complex and expensive. Our goal was to evaluate production costs and test ways to reduce it. Cost of Goods (COGs) analysis for differentiation was completed and the effects of replacement or reduction of the most expensive item was tested using qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry along with glucose-stimulated insulin release. Activin A (AA) was responsible for significant cost. Replacement with small molecules failed to form definitive endoderm (DE). Reducing AA by 50% did not negatively affect expression of beta cell markers. Reduction of AA concentration is feasible without adversely affecting DE and islet-like cell differentiation, leading to significant cost savings in manufacturing.