In vitro preservation of living animal cells and compounds suitable for use in the preservation of living animal cells

A method of in vitro preservation of living animal cells in a viable non-terminally differentiated state (such as embryonic stem cells (ESC), adult stem cells and induced pluripotent cells (iPS)) the method comprising contacting the cells with a compounds of Formula I or salts thereof: wherein X is O, S, NH or N-C1-6alkyl; n is 0 or 1; R12 is OH or a glycosidic functional group; R10, R11, R12 and R14 are H or substituents; one of R20 and R23 is an optionally substituted C2-30 saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain unless R20-R23 form a 5-7-membered unsaturated ring including C1 and C2 in which case the optionally substituted C2-30 saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain is attached to this ring; the remaining groups are as defined in the description. Per se compounds of formula (Ia), the definition of which falls within the scope of formula I, are also outlined.