StopTime
Pausing Life to Preserve It
Reversible control of cellular metabolism for preservation and therapy
About
StopTime develops small-molecule approaches to reversibly slow cellular metabolism by transiently suppressing ribosome biogenesis – the cell’s largest energy-consuming process.
This platform enables new solutions in organ preservation and therapies targeting cellular metabolism.
Applications
Organ & Tissue Preservation
Extends the viability of transplant organs, tissues, and other biomaterials from hours to days.
Reduced organ discard rates
Improved donor–recipient matching
Planned transplant logistics
Biobanking and organoid preservation
Therapies Targeting Cellular Metabolism
Pharmacologic control of ribosome biogenesis enables reversible modulation of cellular energy demand.
Metabolic disease
Acute tissue protection
Neurodegenerative disease
Cell and regenerative medicine
Technology
On-demand, reversible control of cellular energy consumption
Target
Ribosome biogenesis
Effect
Reversible hypometabolic state
Control
Tunable onset, depth, and duration
Proof of Concept
Induces reversible dormancy via controlled hypometabolism
Validated in human and mouse cells
Full recovery of growth and function after release
Deep hypometabolism (ATP reduced to ~10% of normal levels)
Intellectual Property
Platform IP for inducing reversible hypometabolic states via ribosome biogenesis control
Protected by US patent filings (2025–2026) covering applications from cells to tissues, organoids, and organs
Follow-on filings expand coverage to therapeutic applications and additional targets within ribosome biogenesis pathways
Team
Jernej Murn, PhD
Co-Founder & CSO
Associate Professor at the University of California, Riverside. Inventor of StopTime’s core platform, with expertise in ribosome biogenesis, RNA biology, and reversible cellular dormancy. Corresponding author of the Nature Communications study.
Scott Eliasof, PhD
Strategic Advisor
Biotech executive with 25+ years of experience leading R&D and translational programs across industry and academia. Former SVP of Research at Frequency Therapeutics and CSO of Cerulean Pharma, with earlier roles at the Broad Institute and Millennium Pharmaceuticals.
Sihem Cheloufi, PhD
Co-Founder
Associate Professor, University of California, Riverside. Expert in epigenetic regulation and cellular plasticity, with complementary expertise in nuclear reprogramming and cell state transitions. Co-corresponding author of the foundational dormancy study.
Eckhard Jankowsky, PhD
Scientific Advisor
Strategic advisor in RNA biology and RNA–protein interactions with over three decades of experience. Former Vice President of RNA Science at Moderna and Professor and Director at Case Western Reserve University. Author of 100+ publications, including in Cell, Science, and Nature.
Get in touch
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Prefer email? Contact us at contact@stoptime.bio
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