

<!-- Created by Merrill Corporation -->
<!-- Generated by Fujitsu Interstage XWand B0189 -->
<!--Generated by IRIS XBRL Generation Engine-->
<link:linkbase xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#DisclosureSubsequentEventsDetails" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureNatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#DisclosureNatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityDetails" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#DisclosureStockholdersEquityDetails" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureStockOptionPlanDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#DisclosureStockOptionPlanDetails" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#DisclosureCommitmentsDetails" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails2" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#DisclosureSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails2" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureCoDevelopmentAndLicenseAgreementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#DisclosureCoDevelopmentAndLicenseAgreementDetails" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#DisclosureDebtDetails" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureLicenseAgreementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#DisclosureLicenseAgreementDetails" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails3" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#DisclosureSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails3" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#DisclosureBusinessCombinationsDetails" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#DisclosureBusinessCombinationsTables" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#DisclosureAccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesDetails" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShareOfCommonStockDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#DisclosureNetLossPerShareOfCommonStockDetails" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails2" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails2" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/StatementOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#StatementOfStockholdersEquity" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:label="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:title="SubsequentEventLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable" xlink:label="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:title="SubsequentEventTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to SubsequentEventTable" use="optional" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:label="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:title="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:to="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTable to SubsequentEventTypeAxis" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:title="SubsequentEventTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:to="SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTypeAxis to SubsequentEventTypeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2" xlink:title="SubsequentEventTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:to="SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTypeAxis to SubsequentEventTypeDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:label="SubsequentEventMember" xlink:title="SubsequentEventMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:to="SubsequentEventMember" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTypeDomain to SubsequentEventMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:label="SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:title="SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:to="SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTable to SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:label="SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:title="SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:to="SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:title="definition: SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis to SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:label="SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_2" xlink:title="SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:to="SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis to SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IPOMember" xlink:label="IPOMember" xlink:title="IPOMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:to="IPOMember" xlink:title="definition: SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain to IPOMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PrivatePlacementMember" xlink:label="PrivatePlacementMember" xlink:title="PrivatePlacementMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:to="PrivatePlacementMember" xlink:title="definition: SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain to PrivatePlacementMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OverAllotmentOptionMember" xlink:label="OverAllotmentOptionMember" xlink:title="OverAllotmentOptionMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:to="OverAllotmentOptionMember" xlink:title="definition: SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain to OverAllotmentOptionMember" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:label="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:title="CounterpartyNameAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:to="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTable to CounterpartyNameAxis" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:to="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:title="definition: CounterpartyNameAxis to RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_ProteoSysAGMember" xlink:label="ProteoSysAGMember" xlink:title="ProteoSysAGMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:to="ProteoSysAGMember" xlink:title="definition: RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain to ProteoSysAGMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_CoDevelopmentLicensorMember" xlink:label="CoDevelopmentLicensorMember" xlink:title="CoDevelopmentLicensorMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:to="CoDevelopmentLicensorMember" xlink:title="definition: RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain to CoDevelopmentLicensorMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:title="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:to="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTable to ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:title="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtTypeAxis to ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LoansPayableMember" xlink:label="LoansPayableMember" xlink:title="LoansPayableMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="LoansPayableMember" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtTypeDomain to LoansPayableMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" xlink:label="ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" xlink:title="ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtTypeDomain to ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:label="TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:title="TypeOfArrangementAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:to="TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTable to TypeOfArrangementAxis" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:label="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:title="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:to="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:title="definition: TypeOfArrangementAxis to ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_CommonStockPurchaseAgreementMember" xlink:label="CommonStockPurchaseAgreementMember" xlink:title="CommonStockPurchaseAgreementMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:to="CommonStockPurchaseAgreementMember" xlink:title="definition: ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember to CommonStockPurchaseAgreementMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementMember" xlink:label="CollaborativeArrangementMember" xlink:title="CollaborativeArrangementMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:to="CollaborativeArrangementMember" xlink:title="definition: ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember to CollaborativeArrangementMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTable to BusinessAcquisitionAxis" use="optional" order="6.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAxis to BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_SonkeiMember" xlink:label="SonkeiMember" xlink:title="SonkeiMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="SonkeiMember" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain to SonkeiMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:label="ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:title="ProductOrServiceAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:to="ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTable to ProductOrServiceAxis" use="optional" order="7.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:title="ProductsAndServicesDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:to="ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:title="definition: ProductOrServiceAxis to ProductsAndServicesDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_MIN202Member" xlink:label="MIN202Member" xlink:title="MIN202Member" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="MIN202Member" xlink:title="definition: ProductsAndServicesDomain to MIN202Member" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:label="OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:title="OtherCommitmentsAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:to="OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTable to OtherCommitmentsAxis" use="optional" order="8.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsDomain" xlink:label="OtherCommitmentsDomain" xlink:title="OtherCommitmentsDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:to="OtherCommitmentsDomain" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsAxis to OtherCommitmentsDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_EmploymentContractMember" xlink:label="EmploymentContractMember" xlink:title="EmploymentContractMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsDomain" xlink:to="EmploymentContractMember" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsDomain to EmploymentContractMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="AwardTypeAxis" xlink:title="AwardTypeAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:to="AwardTypeAxis" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTable to AwardTypeAxis" use="optional" order="9.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="AwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:title="definition: AwardTypeAxis to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_EmployeeAndNonEmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:label="EmployeeAndNonEmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:title="EmployeeAndNonEmployeeStockOptionMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="EmployeeAndNonEmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain to EmployeeAndNonEmployeeStockOptionMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:label="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:title="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharePrice" xlink:label="SharePrice" xlink:title="SharePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="SharePrice" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to SharePrice" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_GrossProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock" xlink:label="GrossProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock" xlink:title="GrossProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="GrossProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to GrossProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock" xlink:label="ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock" xlink:title="ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_UnderwritingDiscount" xlink:label="UnderwritingDiscount" xlink:title="UnderwritingDiscount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="UnderwritingDiscount" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to UnderwritingDiscount" use="optional" order="6.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts" xlink:label="PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts" xlink:title="PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts" use="optional" order="7.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfShortTermDebt" xlink:label="RepaymentsOfShortTermDebt" xlink:title="RepaymentsOfShortTermDebt" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="RepaymentsOfShortTermDebt" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to RepaymentsOfShortTermDebt" use="optional" order="8.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_PaymentsOfLicenseFees" xlink:label="PaymentsOfLicenseFees" xlink:title="PaymentsOfLicenseFees" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="PaymentsOfLicenseFees" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to PaymentsOfLicenseFees" use="optional" order="9.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" use="optional" order="10.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" use="optional" order="11.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestPayableCurrent" xlink:label="InterestPayableCurrent" xlink:title="InterestPayableCurrent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="InterestPayableCurrent" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to InterestPayableCurrent" use="optional" order="12.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1" xlink:label="ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1" xlink:title="ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1" use="optional" order="13.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" use="optional" order="14.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:title="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" use="optional" order="15.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" use="optional" order="16.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureNatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:label="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:title="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:title="SubsequentEventTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:to="SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTypeAxis to SubsequentEventTypeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:label="SubsequentEventMember" xlink:title="SubsequentEventMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:to="SubsequentEventMember" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTypeDomain to SubsequentEventMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:label="SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:title="SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:label="SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:title="SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:to="SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:title="definition: SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis to SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IPOMember" xlink:label="IPOMember" xlink:title="IPOMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:to="IPOMember" xlink:title="definition: SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain to IPOMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:label="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:title="CounterpartyNameAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:to="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:title="definition: CounterpartyNameAxis to RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_ProteoSysAGMember" xlink:label="ProteoSysAGMember" xlink:title="ProteoSysAGMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:to="ProteoSysAGMember" xlink:title="definition: RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain to ProteoSysAGMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_CoDevelopmentLicensorMember" xlink:label="CoDevelopmentLicensorMember" xlink:title="CoDevelopmentLicensorMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:to="CoDevelopmentLicensorMember" xlink:title="definition: RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain to CoDevelopmentLicensorMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:title="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:title="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtTypeAxis to ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LoansPayableMember" xlink:label="LoansPayableMember" xlink:title="LoansPayableMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="LoansPayableMember" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtTypeDomain to LoansPayableMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:label="TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:title="TypeOfArrangementAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:label="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:title="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:to="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:title="definition: TypeOfArrangementAxis to ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:label="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_2" xlink:title="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:to="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_2" xlink:title="definition: TypeOfArrangementAxis to ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementMember" xlink:label="CollaborativeArrangementMember" xlink:title="CollaborativeArrangementMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:to="CollaborativeArrangementMember" xlink:title="definition: ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember to CollaborativeArrangementMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAxis to BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_2" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAxis to BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_MindNRGMember" xlink:label="MindNRGMember" xlink:title="MindNRGMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="MindNRGMember" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain to MindNRGMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:label="ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:title="ProductOrServiceAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:title="ProductsAndServicesDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:to="ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:title="definition: ProductOrServiceAxis to ProductsAndServicesDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_MIN202Member" xlink:label="MIN202Member" xlink:title="MIN202Member" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="MIN202Member" xlink:title="definition: ProductsAndServicesDomain to MIN202Member" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:label="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:title="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" xlink:label="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" xlink:title="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:to="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" xlink:title="definition: NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems to NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" use="optional" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="definition: NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable to BusinessAcquisitionAxis" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" xlink:to="TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:title="definition: NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable to TypeOfArrangementAxis" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" xlink:to="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:title="definition: NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable to CounterpartyNameAxis" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" xlink:to="ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:title="definition: NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable to ProductOrServiceAxis" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" xlink:to="SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:title="definition: NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable to SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" xlink:to="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:title="definition: NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable to ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" use="optional" order="6.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable" xlink:to="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:title="definition: NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityTable to SubsequentEventTypeAxis" use="optional" order="7.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired" xlink:title="definition: NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems to BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_LicenseFeePayable" xlink:label="LicenseFeePayable" xlink:title="LicenseFeePayable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:to="LicenseFeePayable" xlink:title="definition: NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems to LicenseFeePayable" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_PaymentsOfLicenseFees" xlink:label="PaymentsOfLicenseFees" xlink:title="PaymentsOfLicenseFees" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:to="PaymentsOfLicenseFees" xlink:title="definition: NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems to PaymentsOfLicenseFees" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit" xlink:label="RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit" xlink:title="RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:to="RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit" xlink:title="definition: NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems to RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceInitialPublicOffering" xlink:label="ProceedsFromIssuanceInitialPublicOffering" xlink:title="ProceedsFromIssuanceInitialPublicOffering" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:to="ProceedsFromIssuanceInitialPublicOffering" xlink:title="definition: NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems to ProceedsFromIssuanceInitialPublicOffering" use="optional" order="6.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_UnderwritingDiscountOnIssuanceInitialPublicOffering" xlink:label="UnderwritingDiscountOnIssuanceInitialPublicOffering" xlink:title="UnderwritingDiscountOnIssuanceInitialPublicOffering" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:to="UnderwritingDiscountOnIssuanceInitialPublicOffering" xlink:title="definition: NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems to UnderwritingDiscountOnIssuanceInitialPublicOffering" use="optional" order="7.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts" xlink:label="PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts" xlink:title="PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:to="PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts" xlink:title="definition: NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems to PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts" use="optional" order="8.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfShortTermDebt" xlink:label="RepaymentsOfShortTermDebt" xlink:title="RepaymentsOfShortTermDebt" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems" xlink:to="RepaymentsOfShortTermDebt" xlink:title="definition: NatureOfOperationsAndLiquidityLineItems to RepaymentsOfShortTermDebt" use="optional" order="9.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:title="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:title="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtTypeAxis to ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_NonrecourseNoteMember" xlink:label="NonrecourseNoteMember" xlink:title="NonrecourseNoteMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="NonrecourseNoteMember" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtTypeDomain to NonrecourseNoteMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAxis to BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_SonkeiMember" xlink:label="SonkeiMember" xlink:title="SonkeiMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="SonkeiMember" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain to SonkeiMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:label="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:title="StockholdersEquityLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_StockholdersEquityTable" xlink:label="StockholdersEquityTable" xlink:title="StockholdersEquityTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="StockholdersEquityTable" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to StockholdersEquityTable" use="optional" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:title="StatementEquityComponentsAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityTable" xlink:to="StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityTable to StatementEquityComponentsAxis" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="EquityComponentDomain" xlink:title="EquityComponentDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:to="EquityComponentDomain" xlink:title="definition: StatementEquityComponentsAxis to EquityComponentDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="CommonStockMember" xlink:title="CommonStockMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="EquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="CommonStockMember" xlink:title="definition: EquityComponentDomain to CommonStockMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityTable" xlink:to="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityTable to ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityTable" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityTable to BusinessAcquisitionAxis" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1" xlink:label="StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1" xlink:title="StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_SharesAuthorized" xlink:label="SharesAuthorized" xlink:title="SharesAuthorized" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="SharesAuthorized" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to SharesAuthorized" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="CommonStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:title="CommonStockSharesAuthorized" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="CommonStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to CommonStockSharesAuthorized" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" xlink:label="CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" xlink:title="CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="PreferredStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:title="PreferredStockSharesAuthorized" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="PreferredStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to PreferredStockSharesAuthorized" use="optional" order="6.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" xlink:label="PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" xlink:title="PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" use="optional" order="7.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharePrice" xlink:label="SharePrice" xlink:title="SharePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="SharePrice" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to SharePrice" use="optional" order="8.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" use="optional" order="9.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" use="optional" order="10.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" use="optional" order="11.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableValue" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableValue" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableValue" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableValue" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableValue" use="optional" order="12.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_NumberOfNonvestedStockUponConversionOfStockOptions" xlink:label="NumberOfNonvestedStockUponConversionOfStockOptions" xlink:title="NumberOfNonvestedStockUponConversionOfStockOptions" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="NumberOfNonvestedStockUponConversionOfStockOptions" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to NumberOfNonvestedStockUponConversionOfStockOptions" use="optional" order="13.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_NonvestedStockUponConversionOfStockOptionsExercisableValue" xlink:label="NonvestedStockUponConversionOfStockOptionsExercisableValue" xlink:title="NonvestedStockUponConversionOfStockOptionsExercisableValue" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="NonvestedStockUponConversionOfStockOptionsExercisableValue" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to NonvestedStockUponConversionOfStockOptionsExercisableValue" use="optional" order="14.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xlink:label="AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xlink:title="AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" use="optional" order="15.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="CommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:title="CommonStockSharesOutstanding" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="CommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to CommonStockSharesOutstanding" use="optional" order="16.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:label="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:title="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" use="optional" order="17.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" xlink:label="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" xlink:title="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" use="optional" order="18.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares" xlink:label="StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares" xlink:title="StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares" xlink:title="definition: StockholdersEquityLineItems to StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares" use="optional" order="19.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureStockOptionPlanDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:label="OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:title="OtherCommitmentsAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsDomain" xlink:label="OtherCommitmentsDomain" xlink:title="OtherCommitmentsDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:to="OtherCommitmentsDomain" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsAxis to OtherCommitmentsDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_EmploymentContractMember" xlink:label="EmploymentContractMember" xlink:title="EmploymentContractMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsDomain" xlink:to="EmploymentContractMember" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsDomain to EmploymentContractMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="AwardTypeAxis" xlink:title="AwardTypeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="AwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:title="definition: AwardTypeAxis to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="AwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: AwardTypeAxis to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_EmployeeAndNonEmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:label="EmployeeAndNonEmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:title="EmployeeAndNonEmployeeStockOptionMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="EmployeeAndNonEmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain to EmployeeAndNonEmployeeStockOptionMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_StockOptionFullyVestIPOMember" xlink:label="StockOptionFullyVestIPOMember" xlink:title="StockOptionFullyVestIPOMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="StockOptionFullyVestIPOMember" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain to StockOptionFullyVestIPOMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:title="ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems to ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" use="optional" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="AwardTypeAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable to AwardTypeAxis" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable to OtherCommitmentsAxis" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:label="TitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:title="TitleOfIndividualAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="TitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable to TitleOfIndividualAxis" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:label="TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:title="TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="TitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:to="TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:title="definition: TitleOfIndividualAxis to TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember" xlink:label="ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember" xlink:title="ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:to="ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember" xlink:title="definition: TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain to ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_VestingPeriodAxis" xlink:label="VestingPeriodAxis" xlink:title="VestingPeriodAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="VestingPeriodAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable to VestingPeriodAxis" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_VestingPeriodDomain" xlink:label="VestingPeriodDomain" xlink:title="VestingPeriodDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="VestingPeriodAxis" xlink:to="VestingPeriodDomain" xlink:title="definition: VestingPeriodAxis to VestingPeriodDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_VestingPeriodDomain" xlink:label="VestingPeriodDomain_2" xlink:title="VestingPeriodDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="VestingPeriodAxis" xlink:to="VestingPeriodDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: VestingPeriodAxis to VestingPeriodDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_AwardVestedOnGrantDateMember" xlink:label="AwardVestedOnGrantDateMember" xlink:title="AwardVestedOnGrantDateMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="VestingPeriodDomain" xlink:to="AwardVestedOnGrantDateMember" xlink:title="definition: VestingPeriodDomain to AwardVestedOnGrantDateMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_AwardVestedOverFourYearBeginningFromNovember122013Member" xlink:label="AwardVestedOverFourYearBeginningFromNovember122013Member" xlink:title="AwardVestedOverFourYearBeginningFromNovember122013Member" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="VestingPeriodDomain" xlink:to="AwardVestedOverFourYearBeginningFromNovember122013Member" xlink:title="definition: VestingPeriodDomain to AwardVestedOverFourYearBeginningFromNovember122013Member" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="RangeAxis" xlink:title="RangeAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="RangeAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable to RangeAxis" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="RangeMember" xlink:title="RangeMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="RangeAxis" xlink:to="RangeMember" xlink:title="definition: RangeAxis to RangeMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:label="MinimumMember" xlink:title="MinimumMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RangeMember" xlink:to="MinimumMember" xlink:title="definition: RangeMember to MinimumMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="MaximumMember" xlink:title="MaximumMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RangeMember" xlink:to="MaximumMember" xlink:title="definition: RangeMember to MaximumMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" xlink:label="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" xlink:title="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" xlink:to="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract to SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMinimum" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMinimum" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMinimum" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMinimum" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMinimum" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMaximum" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMaximum" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMaximum" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMaximum" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMaximum" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMinimum" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMinimum" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMinimum" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMinimum" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMinimum" use="optional" order="6.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMaximum" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMaximum" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMaximum" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMaximum" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMaximum" use="optional" order="7.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate" use="optional" order="8.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" use="optional" order="9.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xlink:label="AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xlink:title="AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract to AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_NumberOfAgreements" xlink:label="NumberOfAgreements" xlink:title="NumberOfAgreements" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="NumberOfAgreements" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract to NumberOfAgreements" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_BaseSalaryOfEmployee" xlink:label="BaseSalaryOfEmployee" xlink:title="BaseSalaryOfEmployee" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="BaseSalaryOfEmployee" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract to BaseSalaryOfEmployee" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_PercentageOfBonusOnBaseSalaryOfEmployee" xlink:label="PercentageOfBonusOnBaseSalaryOfEmployee" xlink:title="PercentageOfBonusOnBaseSalaryOfEmployee" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="PercentageOfBonusOnBaseSalaryOfEmployee" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract to PercentageOfBonusOnBaseSalaryOfEmployee" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_BonusSpecialEmployee" xlink:label="BonusSpecialEmployee" xlink:title="BonusSpecialEmployee" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="BonusSpecialEmployee" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract to BonusSpecialEmployee" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_PeriodAllowedUnderAgreementForPaymentMaximum" xlink:label="PeriodAllowedUnderAgreementForPaymentMaximum" xlink:title="PeriodAllowedUnderAgreementForPaymentMaximum" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="PeriodAllowedUnderAgreementForPaymentMaximum" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract to PeriodAllowedUnderAgreementForPaymentMaximum" use="optional" order="6.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_PeriodOfNoticeForTermination" xlink:label="PeriodOfNoticeForTermination" xlink:title="PeriodOfNoticeForTermination" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="PeriodOfNoticeForTermination" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract to PeriodOfNoticeForTermination" use="optional" order="7.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentFullyDilutedOutstandingShares" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentFullyDilutedOutstandingShares" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentFullyDilutedOutstandingShares" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentFullyDilutedOutstandingShares" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentFullyDilutedOutstandingShares" use="optional" order="8.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" use="optional" order="9.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage" xlink:label="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage" xlink:title="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract to SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage" use="optional" order="10.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:title="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract to SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" use="optional" order="11.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" xlink:label="EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" xlink:title="EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract to EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" use="optional" order="12.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1" xlink:label="EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1" xlink:title="EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract to EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1" use="optional" order="13.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" xlink:label="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" xlink:title="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract to SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" use="optional" order="14.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue" xlink:title="definition: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue" use="optional" order="15.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:label="OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:title="OtherCommitmentsAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsDomain" xlink:label="OtherCommitmentsDomain" xlink:title="OtherCommitmentsDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:to="OtherCommitmentsDomain" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsAxis to OtherCommitmentsDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsDomain" xlink:label="OtherCommitmentsDomain_2" xlink:title="OtherCommitmentsDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:to="OtherCommitmentsDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsAxis to OtherCommitmentsDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_EmploymentContractMember" xlink:label="EmploymentContractMember" xlink:title="EmploymentContractMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsDomain" xlink:to="EmploymentContractMember" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsDomain to EmploymentContractMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_AgreementWithQuotientLtdMember" xlink:label="AgreementWithQuotientLtdMember" xlink:title="AgreementWithQuotientLtdMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsDomain" xlink:to="AgreementWithQuotientLtdMember" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsDomain to AgreementWithQuotientLtdMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:label="TitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:title="TitleOfIndividualAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:label="TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:title="TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="TitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:to="TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:title="definition: TitleOfIndividualAxis to TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember" xlink:label="ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember" xlink:title="ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:to="ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember" xlink:title="definition: TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain to ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="RangeAxis" xlink:title="RangeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="RangeMember" xlink:title="RangeMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="RangeAxis" xlink:to="RangeMember" xlink:title="definition: RangeAxis to RangeMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="MaximumMember" xlink:title="MaximumMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RangeMember" xlink:to="MaximumMember" xlink:title="definition: RangeMember to MaximumMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems" xlink:label="OtherCommitmentsLineItems" xlink:title="OtherCommitmentsLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable" xlink:label="OtherCommitmentsTable" xlink:title="OtherCommitmentsTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsLineItems" xlink:to="OtherCommitmentsTable" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsLineItems to OtherCommitmentsTable" use="optional" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsTable" xlink:to="OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsTable to OtherCommitmentsAxis" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsTable" xlink:to="TitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsTable to TitleOfIndividualAxis" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsTable" xlink:to="RangeAxis" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsTable to RangeAxis" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_BaseSalaryOfEmployee" xlink:label="BaseSalaryOfEmployee" xlink:title="BaseSalaryOfEmployee" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsLineItems" xlink:to="BaseSalaryOfEmployee" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsLineItems to BaseSalaryOfEmployee" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_PercentageOfBonusOnBaseSalaryOfEmployee" xlink:label="PercentageOfBonusOnBaseSalaryOfEmployee" xlink:title="PercentageOfBonusOnBaseSalaryOfEmployee" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfBonusOnBaseSalaryOfEmployee" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsLineItems to PercentageOfBonusOnBaseSalaryOfEmployee" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_BonusSpecialEmployee" xlink:label="BonusSpecialEmployee" xlink:title="BonusSpecialEmployee" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsLineItems" xlink:to="BonusSpecialEmployee" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsLineItems to BonusSpecialEmployee" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentOutstandingShares" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentOutstandingShares" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentOutstandingShares" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsLineItems" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentOutstandingShares" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsLineItems to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentOutstandingShares" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsLineItems" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsLineItems to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" use="optional" order="6.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharePrice" xlink:label="SharePrice" xlink:title="SharePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsLineItems" xlink:to="SharePrice" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsLineItems to SharePrice" use="optional" order="7.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsLineItems" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsLineItems to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" use="optional" order="8.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentFullyDilutedOutstandingShares" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentFullyDilutedOutstandingShares" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentFullyDilutedOutstandingShares" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsLineItems" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentFullyDilutedOutstandingShares" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsLineItems to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentFullyDilutedOutstandingShares" use="optional" order="10.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractualObligation" xlink:label="ContractualObligation" xlink:title="ContractualObligation" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsLineItems" xlink:to="ContractualObligation" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsLineItems to ContractualObligation" use="optional" order="11.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:title="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="OtherCommitmentsLineItems" xlink:to="SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:title="definition: OtherCommitmentsLineItems to SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" use="optional" order="9.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails2">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:title="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:title="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtTypeAxis to ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" xlink:label="ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" xlink:title="ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtTypeDomain to ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAxis to BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_SonkeiMember" xlink:label="SonkeiMember" xlink:title="SonkeiMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="SonkeiMember" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain to SonkeiMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:label="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:title="ShortTermDebtLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" xlink:label="ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" xlink:title="ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" use="optional" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" xlink:to="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable to ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable to BusinessAcquisitionAxis" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestPayableCurrent" xlink:label="InterestPayableCurrent" xlink:title="InterestPayableCurrent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="InterestPayableCurrent" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to InterestPayableCurrent" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentFairValue" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentFairValue" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentFairValue" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to DebtInstrumentFairValue" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableCurrent" xlink:label="ConvertibleNotesPayableCurrent" xlink:title="ConvertibleNotesPayableCurrent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="ConvertibleNotesPayableCurrent" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to ConvertibleNotesPayableCurrent" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" use="optional" order="6.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability" xlink:label="EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability" xlink:title="EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability" use="optional" order="7.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate" xlink:label="FairValueInputsDiscountRate" xlink:title="FairValueInputsDiscountRate" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="FairValueInputsDiscountRate" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to FairValueInputsDiscountRate" use="optional" order="8.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm" xlink:label="FairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm" xlink:title="FairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="FairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to FairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm" use="optional" order="9.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeLossOnEmbeddedDerivative" xlink:label="EmbeddedDerivativeLossOnEmbeddedDerivative" xlink:title="EmbeddedDerivativeLossOnEmbeddedDerivative" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="EmbeddedDerivativeLossOnEmbeddedDerivative" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to EmbeddedDerivativeLossOnEmbeddedDerivative" use="optional" order="10.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1" use="optional" order="11.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount" use="optional" order="12.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense" xlink:label="InterestExpense" xlink:title="InterestExpense" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="InterestExpense" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to InterestExpense" use="optional" order="13.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAxis to BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_SonkeiMember" xlink:label="SonkeiMember" xlink:title="SonkeiMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="SonkeiMember" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain to SonkeiMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems" xlink:label="RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems" xlink:title="RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable" xlink:label="ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable" xlink:title="ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems" xlink:to="ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable" xlink:title="definition: RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems to ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable" use="optional" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:label="RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:title="RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable" xlink:to="RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable to RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:label="RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:title="RelatedPartyDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:to="RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:title="definition: RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis to RelatedPartyDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:label="RelatedPartyDomain_2" xlink:title="RelatedPartyDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:to="RelatedPartyDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis to RelatedPartyDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestorMember" xlink:label="InvestorMember" xlink:title="InvestorMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:to="InvestorMember" xlink:title="definition: RelatedPartyDomain to InvestorMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_StockholdersMember" xlink:label="StockholdersMember" xlink:title="StockholdersMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:to="StockholdersMember" xlink:title="definition: RelatedPartyDomain to StockholdersMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable to BusinessAcquisitionAxis" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_RelatedPartyTransactionAccountingAndOtherServicesExpensesPerYear" xlink:label="RelatedPartyTransactionAccountingAndOtherServicesExpensesPerYear" xlink:title="RelatedPartyTransactionAccountingAndOtherServicesExpensesPerYear" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems" xlink:to="RelatedPartyTransactionAccountingAndOtherServicesExpensesPerYear" xlink:title="definition: RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems to RelatedPartyTransactionAccountingAndOtherServicesExpensesPerYear" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty" xlink:label="RelatedPartyTransactionSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty" xlink:title="RelatedPartyTransactionSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems" xlink:to="RelatedPartyTransactionSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty" xlink:title="definition: RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems to RelatedPartyTransactionSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestPayableCurrent" xlink:label="InterestPayableCurrent" xlink:title="InterestPayableCurrent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems" xlink:to="InterestPayableCurrent" xlink:title="definition: RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems to InterestPayableCurrent" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseRelatedParty" xlink:label="InterestExpenseRelatedParty" xlink:title="InterestExpenseRelatedParty" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems" xlink:to="InterestExpenseRelatedParty" xlink:title="definition: RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems to InterestExpenseRelatedParty" use="optional" order="5.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureCoDevelopmentAndLicenseAgreementDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:label="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:title="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:title="SubsequentEventTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:to="SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTypeAxis to SubsequentEventTypeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:label="SubsequentEventMember" xlink:title="SubsequentEventMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:to="SubsequentEventMember" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTypeDomain to SubsequentEventMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:label="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:title="CounterpartyNameAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:to="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:title="definition: CounterpartyNameAxis to RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_CoDevelopmentLicensorMember" xlink:label="CoDevelopmentLicensorMember" xlink:title="CoDevelopmentLicensorMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:to="CoDevelopmentLicensorMember" xlink:title="definition: RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain to CoDevelopmentLicensorMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:label="TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:title="TypeOfArrangementAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:label="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:title="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:to="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:title="definition: TypeOfArrangementAxis to ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_CommonStockPurchaseAgreementMember" xlink:label="CommonStockPurchaseAgreementMember" xlink:title="CommonStockPurchaseAgreementMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:to="CommonStockPurchaseAgreementMember" xlink:title="definition: ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember to CommonStockPurchaseAgreementMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementMember" xlink:label="CollaborativeArrangementMember" xlink:title="CollaborativeArrangementMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:to="CollaborativeArrangementMember" xlink:title="definition: ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember to CollaborativeArrangementMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:label="ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:title="ProductOrServiceAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:title="ProductsAndServicesDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:to="ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:title="definition: ProductOrServiceAxis to ProductsAndServicesDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_MIN202Member" xlink:label="MIN202Member" xlink:title="MIN202Member" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="MIN202Member" xlink:title="definition: ProductsAndServicesDomain to MIN202Member" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="RangeAxis" xlink:title="RangeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="RangeMember" xlink:title="RangeMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="RangeAxis" xlink:to="RangeMember" xlink:title="definition: RangeAxis to RangeMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="MaximumMember" xlink:title="MaximumMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RangeMember" xlink:to="MaximumMember" xlink:title="definition: RangeMember to MaximumMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:label="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:title="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" xlink:label="ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" xlink:title="ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:to="ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" xlink:title="definition: CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems to ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" use="optional" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" xlink:to="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable to CounterpartyNameAxis" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" xlink:to="TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable to TypeOfArrangementAxis" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" xlink:to="ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable to ProductOrServiceAxis" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_PeriodAxis" xlink:label="PeriodAxis" xlink:title="PeriodAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" xlink:to="PeriodAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable to PeriodAxis" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_PeriodDomain" xlink:label="PeriodDomain" xlink:title="PeriodDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="PeriodAxis" xlink:to="PeriodDomain" xlink:title="definition: PeriodAxis to PeriodDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_PeriodDomain" xlink:label="PeriodDomain_2" xlink:title="PeriodDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="PeriodAxis" xlink:to="PeriodDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: PeriodAxis to PeriodDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_PeriodOneMember" xlink:label="PeriodOneMember" xlink:title="PeriodOneMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="PeriodDomain" xlink:to="PeriodOneMember" xlink:title="definition: PeriodDomain to PeriodOneMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_PeriodTwoMember" xlink:label="PeriodTwoMember" xlink:title="PeriodTwoMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="PeriodDomain" xlink:to="PeriodTwoMember" xlink:title="definition: PeriodDomain to PeriodTwoMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" xlink:to="RangeAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable to RangeAxis" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" xlink:to="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable to SubsequentEventTypeAxis" use="optional" order="6.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_PaymentsOfLicenseFees" xlink:label="PaymentsOfLicenseFees" xlink:title="PaymentsOfLicenseFees" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:to="PaymentsOfLicenseFees" xlink:title="definition: CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems to PaymentsOfLicenseFees" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_PercentageOfDevelopmentCostsRelatedToJointDevelopmentOfProducts" xlink:label="PercentageOfDevelopmentCostsRelatedToJointDevelopmentOfProducts" xlink:title="PercentageOfDevelopmentCostsRelatedToJointDevelopmentOfProducts" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfDevelopmentCostsRelatedToJointDevelopmentOfProducts" xlink:title="definition: CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems to PercentageOfDevelopmentCostsRelatedToJointDevelopmentOfProducts" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_AggregateDevelopmentCosts" xlink:label="AggregateDevelopmentCosts" xlink:title="AggregateDevelopmentCosts" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:to="AggregateDevelopmentCosts" xlink:title="definition: CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems to AggregateDevelopmentCosts" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_PeriodWithinWhichAgreementIsTerminated" xlink:label="PeriodWithinWhichAgreementIsTerminated" xlink:title="PeriodWithinWhichAgreementIsTerminated" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:to="PeriodWithinWhichAgreementIsTerminated" xlink:title="definition: CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems to PeriodWithinWhichAgreementIsTerminated" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_FeesForTerminationOfAgreement" xlink:label="FeesForTerminationOfAgreement" xlink:title="FeesForTerminationOfAgreement" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:to="FeesForTerminationOfAgreement" xlink:title="definition: CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems to FeesForTerminationOfAgreement" use="optional" order="6.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesSubscribedButUnissued" xlink:label="CommonStockSharesSubscribedButUnissued" xlink:title="CommonStockSharesSubscribedButUnissued" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:to="CommonStockSharesSubscribedButUnissued" xlink:title="definition: CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems to CommonStockSharesSubscribedButUnissued" use="optional" order="7.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:label="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:title="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:to="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:title="definition: CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems to StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" use="optional" order="8.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock" xlink:label="ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock" xlink:title="ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:to="ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock" xlink:title="definition: CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems to ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock" use="optional" order="9.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureDebtDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:title="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:title="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtTypeAxis to ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LoansPayableMember" xlink:label="LoansPayableMember" xlink:title="LoansPayableMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="LoansPayableMember" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtTypeDomain to LoansPayableMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_AprilBridgeLoanMember" xlink:label="AprilBridgeLoanMember" xlink:title="AprilBridgeLoanMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LoansPayableMember" xlink:to="AprilBridgeLoanMember" xlink:title="definition: LoansPayableMember to AprilBridgeLoanMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_MayBridgeLoanMember" xlink:label="MayBridgeLoanMember" xlink:title="MayBridgeLoanMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LoansPayableMember" xlink:to="MayBridgeLoanMember" xlink:title="definition: LoansPayableMember to MayBridgeLoanMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" xlink:label="ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" xlink:title="ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtTypeDomain to ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAxis to BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_SonkeiMember" xlink:label="SonkeiMember" xlink:title="SonkeiMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="SonkeiMember" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain to SonkeiMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_MindNRGMember" xlink:label="MindNRGMember" xlink:title="MindNRGMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="MindNRGMember" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain to MindNRGMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="RangeAxis" xlink:title="RangeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="RangeMember" xlink:title="RangeMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="RangeAxis" xlink:to="RangeMember" xlink:title="definition: RangeAxis to RangeMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:label="MinimumMember" xlink:title="MinimumMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RangeMember" xlink:to="MinimumMember" xlink:title="definition: RangeMember to MinimumMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:label="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:title="ShortTermDebtLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" xlink:label="ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" xlink:title="ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" use="optional" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" xlink:to="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable to ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable to BusinessAcquisitionAxis" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" xlink:to="RangeAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable to RangeAxis" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" use="optional" order="6.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableCurrent" xlink:label="ConvertibleNotesPayableCurrent" xlink:title="ConvertibleNotesPayableCurrent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="ConvertibleNotesPayableCurrent" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to ConvertibleNotesPayableCurrent" use="optional" order="17.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability" xlink:label="EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability" xlink:title="EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability" use="optional" order="10.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate" xlink:label="FairValueInputsDiscountRate" xlink:title="FairValueInputsDiscountRate" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="FairValueInputsDiscountRate" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to FairValueInputsDiscountRate" use="optional" order="11.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm" xlink:label="FairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm" xlink:title="FairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="FairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to FairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm" use="optional" order="12.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeLossOnEmbeddedDerivative" xlink:label="EmbeddedDerivativeLossOnEmbeddedDerivative" xlink:title="EmbeddedDerivativeLossOnEmbeddedDerivative" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="EmbeddedDerivativeLossOnEmbeddedDerivative" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to EmbeddedDerivativeLossOnEmbeddedDerivative" use="optional" order="13.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1" use="optional" order="9.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount" use="optional" order="15.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense" xlink:label="InterestExpense" xlink:title="InterestExpense" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="InterestExpense" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to InterestExpense" use="optional" order="18.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_DebtInstrumentMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentMaximumBorrowingCapacity" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to DebtInstrumentMaximumBorrowingCapacity" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_DebtDefaultInterestRate" xlink:label="DebtDefaultInterestRate" xlink:title="DebtDefaultInterestRate" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="DebtDefaultInterestRate" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to DebtDefaultInterestRate" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LoansPayableCurrent" xlink:label="LoansPayableCurrent" xlink:title="LoansPayableCurrent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="LoansPayableCurrent" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to LoansPayableCurrent" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_DebtInstrumentPercentageMultipliedToSharePriceToDetermineConversionPrice" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentPercentageMultipliedToSharePriceToDetermineConversionPrice" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentPercentageMultipliedToSharePriceToDetermineConversionPrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentPercentageMultipliedToSharePriceToDetermineConversionPrice" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to DebtInstrumentPercentageMultipliedToSharePriceToDetermineConversionPrice" use="optional" order="7.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_AmountOfGrossProceedsToBeReceivedForDefiningTransactionAsQualifiedFinancing" xlink:label="AmountOfGrossProceedsToBeReceivedForDefiningTransactionAsQualifiedFinancing" xlink:title="AmountOfGrossProceedsToBeReceivedForDefiningTransactionAsQualifiedFinancing" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="AmountOfGrossProceedsToBeReceivedForDefiningTransactionAsQualifiedFinancing" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to AmountOfGrossProceedsToBeReceivedForDefiningTransactionAsQualifiedFinancing" use="optional" order="8.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount" use="optional" order="14.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_DebtInstrumentEffectOfExchangeRate" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentEffectOfExchangeRate" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentEffectOfExchangeRate" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentEffectOfExchangeRate" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to DebtInstrumentEffectOfExchangeRate" use="optional" order="16.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium" xlink:label="AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium" xlink:title="AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium" use="optional" order="19.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebtExcludingAmortization" xlink:label="InterestExpenseDebtExcludingAmortization" xlink:title="InterestExpenseDebtExcludingAmortization" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="InterestExpenseDebtExcludingAmortization" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to InterestExpenseDebtExcludingAmortization" use="optional" order="20.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureLicenseAgreementDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:label="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:title="CounterpartyNameAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:to="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:title="definition: CounterpartyNameAxis to RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_MitsubishiTanabePharmaCorporationMember" xlink:label="MitsubishiTanabePharmaCorporationMember" xlink:title="MitsubishiTanabePharmaCorporationMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:to="MitsubishiTanabePharmaCorporationMember" xlink:title="definition: RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain to MitsubishiTanabePharmaCorporationMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:label="TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:title="TypeOfArrangementAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:label="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:title="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:to="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:title="definition: TypeOfArrangementAxis to ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_LicenseAgreementMember" xlink:label="LicenseAgreementMember" xlink:title="LicenseAgreementMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:to="LicenseAgreementMember" xlink:title="definition: ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember to LicenseAgreementMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:label="ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:title="ProductOrServiceAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:title="ProductsAndServicesDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:to="ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:title="definition: ProductOrServiceAxis to ProductsAndServicesDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="ProductsAndServicesDomain_2" xlink:title="ProductsAndServicesDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:to="ProductsAndServicesDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: ProductOrServiceAxis to ProductsAndServicesDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_MIN101Member" xlink:label="MIN101Member" xlink:title="MIN101Member" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="MIN101Member" xlink:title="definition: ProductsAndServicesDomain to MIN101Member" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_MIN117Member" xlink:label="MIN117Member" xlink:title="MIN117Member" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="MIN117Member" xlink:title="definition: ProductsAndServicesDomain to MIN117Member" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="RangeAxis" xlink:title="RangeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="RangeMember" xlink:title="RangeMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="RangeAxis" xlink:to="RangeMember" xlink:title="definition: RangeAxis to RangeMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="MaximumMember" xlink:title="MaximumMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RangeMember" xlink:to="MaximumMember" xlink:title="definition: RangeMember to MaximumMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:label="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:title="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" xlink:label="ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" xlink:title="ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:to="ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" xlink:title="definition: CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems to ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" use="optional" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" xlink:to="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable to CounterpartyNameAxis" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" xlink:to="TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable to TypeOfArrangementAxis" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" xlink:to="ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable to ProductOrServiceAxis" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable" xlink:to="RangeAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable to RangeAxis" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_PotentialMilestonePaymentsUponAchievementOfMilestone" xlink:label="PotentialMilestonePaymentsUponAchievementOfMilestone" xlink:title="PotentialMilestonePaymentsUponAchievementOfMilestone" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:to="PotentialMilestonePaymentsUponAchievementOfMilestone" xlink:title="definition: CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems to PotentialMilestonePaymentsUponAchievementOfMilestone" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_NumberOfDevelopmentMilestoneAchievementRequired" xlink:label="NumberOfDevelopmentMilestoneAchievementRequired" xlink:title="NumberOfDevelopmentMilestoneAchievementRequired" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:to="NumberOfDevelopmentMilestoneAchievementRequired" xlink:title="definition: CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems to NumberOfDevelopmentMilestoneAchievementRequired" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_LicenseExtensionPotentialPayment" xlink:label="LicenseExtensionPotentialPayment" xlink:title="LicenseExtensionPotentialPayment" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:to="LicenseExtensionPotentialPayment" xlink:title="definition: CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems to LicenseExtensionPotentialPayment" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_CollaborativeArrangementExtensionTerm" xlink:label="CollaborativeArrangementExtensionTerm" xlink:title="CollaborativeArrangementExtensionTerm" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems" xlink:to="CollaborativeArrangementExtensionTerm" xlink:title="definition: CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems to CollaborativeArrangementExtensionTerm" use="optional" order="5.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails3">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems" xlink:label="FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems" xlink:title="FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable" xlink:label="FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable" xlink:title="FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems" xlink:to="FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable" xlink:title="definition: FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems to FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable" use="optional" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis" xlink:label="FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis" xlink:title="FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable" xlink:to="FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis" xlink:title="definition: FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable to FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" xlink:label="FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" xlink:title="FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis" xlink:to="FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" xlink:title="definition: FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis to FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" xlink:label="FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_2" xlink:title="FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis" xlink:to="FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis to FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember" xlink:label="FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember" xlink:title="FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" xlink:to="FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember" xlink:title="definition: FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain to FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:label="FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:title="FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable" xlink:to="FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:title="definition: FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable to FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:title="FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:to="FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:title="definition: FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis to FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_2" xlink:title="FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:to="FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis to FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:title="EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:to="EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:title="definition: FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain to EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" xlink:label="FairValueInputsLevel1Member" xlink:title="FairValueInputsLevel1Member" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:to="FairValueInputsLevel1Member" xlink:title="definition: FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain to FairValueInputsLevel1Member" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" xlink:label="FairValueInputsLevel2Member" xlink:title="FairValueInputsLevel2Member" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:to="FairValueInputsLevel2Member" xlink:title="definition: FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain to FairValueInputsLevel2Member" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" xlink:label="FairValueInputsLevel3Member" xlink:title="FairValueInputsLevel3Member" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:to="FairValueInputsLevel3Member" xlink:title="definition: FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain to FairValueInputsLevel3Member" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis" xlink:label="FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis" xlink:title="FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable" xlink:to="FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis" xlink:title="definition: FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable to FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain" xlink:label="FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain" xlink:title="FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis" xlink:to="FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain" xlink:title="definition: FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis to FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain" xlink:label="FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_2" xlink:title="FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis" xlink:to="FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis to FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" xlink:label="ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" xlink:title="ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain" xlink:to="ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" xlink:title="definition: FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain to ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:label="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:title="CounterpartyNameAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:to="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:title="definition: CounterpartyNameAxis to RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_ProteoSysAGMember" xlink:label="ProteoSysAGMember" xlink:title="ProteoSysAGMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:to="ProteoSysAGMember" xlink:title="definition: RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain to ProteoSysAGMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:title="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:title="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtTypeAxis to ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_2" xlink:title="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtTypeAxis to ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" xlink:label="ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" xlink:title="ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtTypeDomain to ConvertibleNotesPayableMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAxis to BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_SonkeiMember" xlink:label="SonkeiMember" xlink:title="SonkeiMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="SonkeiMember" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain to SonkeiMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_MindNRGMember" xlink:label="MindNRGMember" xlink:title="MindNRGMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="MindNRGMember" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain to MindNRGMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:label="TitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:title="TitleOfIndividualAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:label="TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:title="TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="TitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:to="TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:title="definition: TitleOfIndividualAxis to TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:label="TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_2" xlink:title="TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="TitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:to="TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: TitleOfIndividualAxis to TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_NonemployeeHoldingCommonStockWithNonrecourseNoteMember" xlink:label="NonemployeeHoldingCommonStockWithNonrecourseNoteMember" xlink:title="NonemployeeHoldingCommonStockWithNonrecourseNoteMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:to="NonemployeeHoldingCommonStockWithNonrecourseNoteMember" xlink:title="definition: TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain to NonemployeeHoldingCommonStockWithNonrecourseNoteMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:title="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" use="optional" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable to BusinessAcquisitionAxis" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:label="FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:title="FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:to="FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable to FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:title="FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:to="FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:title="definition: FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis to FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_2" xlink:title="FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:to="FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis to FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember" xlink:label="InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember" xlink:title="InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:to="InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember" xlink:title="definition: FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain to InProcessResearchAndDevelopmentMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:to="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable to CounterpartyNameAxis" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:to="TitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable to TitleOfIndividualAxis" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:to="ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable to ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_BusinessAcquisitionsEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableShareRatio" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionsEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableShareRatio" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionsEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableShareRatio" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionsEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableShareRatio" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to BusinessAcquisitionsEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableShareRatio" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_BusinessAcquisitionNumberOfSharesHeldInEscrow" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionNumberOfSharesHeldInEscrow" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionNumberOfSharesHeldInEscrow" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionNumberOfSharesHeldInEscrow" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to BusinessAcquisitionNumberOfSharesHeldInEscrow" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" xlink:label="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" xlink:title="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionSharePrice" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionSharePrice" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionSharePrice" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionSharePrice" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to BusinessAcquisitionSharePrice" use="optional" order="6.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable" xlink:label="BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable" xlink:title="BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable" use="optional" order="7.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired" use="optional" order="8.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesHeld" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesHeld" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesHeld" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesHeld" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesHeld" use="optional" order="9.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod" use="optional" order="10.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards" xlink:label="OperatingLossCarryforwards" xlink:title="OperatingLossCarryforwards" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLossCarryforwards" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to OperatingLossCarryforwards" use="optional" order="11.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract" xlink:label="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract" xlink:title="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract" use="optional" order="12.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents" xlink:label="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents" xlink:title="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract" xlink:to="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents" xlink:title="definition: BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract to BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherAssets" xlink:label="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherAssets" xlink:title="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherAssets" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract" xlink:to="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherAssets" xlink:title="definition: BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract to BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherAssets" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill" xlink:label="Goodwill" xlink:title="Goodwill" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract" xlink:to="Goodwill" xlink:title="definition: BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract to Goodwill" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets" xlink:label="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets" xlink:title="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract" xlink:to="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets" xlink:title="definition: BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract to BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredTaxLiabilities" xlink:label="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredTaxLiabilities" xlink:title="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredTaxLiabilities" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract" xlink:to="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredTaxLiabilities" xlink:title="definition: BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract to BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredTaxLiabilities" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAccruedExpenses" xlink:label="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAccruedExpenses" xlink:title="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAccruedExpenses" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract" xlink:to="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAccruedExpenses" xlink:title="definition: BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract to BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAccruedExpenses" use="optional" order="6.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedFinancialLiabilities" xlink:label="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedFinancialLiabilities" xlink:title="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedFinancialLiabilities" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract" xlink:to="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedFinancialLiabilities" xlink:title="definition: BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract to BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedFinancialLiabilities" use="optional" order="7.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedMilestonePayable" xlink:label="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedMilestonePayable" xlink:title="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedMilestonePayable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract" xlink:to="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedMilestonePayable" xlink:title="definition: BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract to BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedMilestonePayable" use="optional" order="8.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:title="definition: BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract to DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" use="optional" order="9.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet" xlink:label="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet" xlink:title="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract" xlink:to="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet" xlink:title="definition: BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract to BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet" use="optional" order="10.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationAbstract" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationAbstract" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationAbstract" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationAbstract" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationAbstract" use="optional" order="13.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaIncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeChangesInAccountingAndExtraordinaryItemsNetOfTax" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaIncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeChangesInAccountingAndExtraordinaryItemsNetOfTax" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaIncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeChangesInAccountingAndExtraordinaryItemsNetOfTax" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationAbstract" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaIncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeChangesInAccountingAndExtraordinaryItemsNetOfTax" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationAbstract to BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaIncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeChangesInAccountingAndExtraordinaryItemsNetOfTax" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareBasic" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareBasic" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareBasic" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationAbstract" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareBasic" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationAbstract to BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareBasic" use="optional" order="2.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsTables">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAxis to BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_SonkeiMember" xlink:label="SonkeiMember" xlink:title="SonkeiMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="SonkeiMember" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain to SonkeiMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_MindNRGMember" xlink:label="MindNRGMember" xlink:title="MindNRGMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="MindNRGMember" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain to MindNRGMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:title="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" use="optional" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable to BusinessAcquisitionAxis" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRecognizedIdentifiedAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfRecognizedIdentifiedAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfRecognizedIdentifiedAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedTableTextBlock" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="ScheduleOfRecognizedIdentifiedAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedTableTextBlock" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to ScheduleOfRecognizedIdentifiedAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedTableTextBlock" use="optional" order="2.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:label="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:title="CounterpartyNameAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:to="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:title="definition: CounterpartyNameAxis to RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_2" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:to="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: CounterpartyNameAxis to RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_ProteoSysAGMember" xlink:label="ProteoSysAGMember" xlink:title="ProteoSysAGMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:to="ProteoSysAGMember" xlink:title="definition: RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain to ProteoSysAGMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="RangeAxis" xlink:title="RangeAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="RangeMember" xlink:title="RangeMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="RangeAxis" xlink:to="RangeMember" xlink:title="definition: RangeAxis to RangeMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="RangeMember_2" xlink:title="RangeMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="RangeAxis" xlink:to="RangeMember_2" xlink:title="definition: RangeAxis to RangeMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:label="MinimumMember" xlink:title="MinimumMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RangeMember" xlink:to="MinimumMember" xlink:title="definition: RangeMember to MinimumMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems" xlink:label="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems" xlink:title="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesTable" xlink:label="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesTable" xlink:title="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems" xlink:to="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesTable" xlink:title="definition: AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems to AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesTable" use="optional" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesTable" xlink:to="CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:title="definition: AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesTable to CounterpartyNameAxis" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesTable" xlink:to="RangeAxis" xlink:title="definition: AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesTable to RangeAxis" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_AccruedResearchAndDevelopmentCostsCurrent" xlink:label="AccruedResearchAndDevelopmentCostsCurrent" xlink:title="AccruedResearchAndDevelopmentCostsCurrent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems" xlink:to="AccruedResearchAndDevelopmentCostsCurrent" xlink:title="definition: AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems to AccruedResearchAndDevelopmentCostsCurrent" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedProfessionalFeesCurrent" xlink:label="AccruedProfessionalFeesCurrent" xlink:title="AccruedProfessionalFeesCurrent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems" xlink:to="AccruedProfessionalFeesCurrent" xlink:title="definition: AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems to AccruedProfessionalFeesCurrent" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DueToRelatedPartiesCurrent" xlink:label="DueToRelatedPartiesCurrent" xlink:title="DueToRelatedPartiesCurrent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems" xlink:to="DueToRelatedPartiesCurrent" xlink:title="definition: AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems to DueToRelatedPartiesCurrent" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestPayableCurrent" xlink:label="InterestPayableCurrent" xlink:title="InterestPayableCurrent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems" xlink:to="InterestPayableCurrent" xlink:title="definition: AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems to InterestPayableCurrent" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedVacationCurrent" xlink:label="AccruedVacationCurrent" xlink:title="AccruedVacationCurrent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems" xlink:to="AccruedVacationCurrent" xlink:title="definition: AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems to AccruedVacationCurrent" use="optional" order="6.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedBonusesCurrent" xlink:label="AccruedBonusesCurrent" xlink:title="AccruedBonusesCurrent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems" xlink:to="AccruedBonusesCurrent" xlink:title="definition: AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems to AccruedBonusesCurrent" use="optional" order="7.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedMilestonePayable" xlink:label="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedMilestonePayable" xlink:title="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedMilestonePayable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedMilestonePayable" xlink:title="definition: AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems to BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedMilestonePayable" use="optional" order="8.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_AccruedResearchFundingCurrent" xlink:label="AccruedResearchFundingCurrent" xlink:title="AccruedResearchFundingCurrent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems" xlink:to="AccruedResearchFundingCurrent" xlink:title="definition: AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems to AccruedResearchFundingCurrent" use="optional" order="9.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_AccruedConsultingAndOtherCostsCurrent" xlink:label="AccruedConsultingAndOtherCostsCurrent" xlink:title="AccruedConsultingAndOtherCostsCurrent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems" xlink:to="AccruedConsultingAndOtherCostsCurrent" xlink:title="definition: AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems to AccruedConsultingAndOtherCostsCurrent" use="optional" order="10.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesCurrent" xlink:label="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesCurrent" xlink:title="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesCurrent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems" xlink:to="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesCurrent" xlink:title="definition: AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems to AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesCurrent" use="optional" order="11.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_AccruedPublicOfferingCostsCurrent" xlink:label="AccruedPublicOfferingCostsCurrent" xlink:title="AccruedPublicOfferingCostsCurrent" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems" xlink:to="AccruedPublicOfferingCostsCurrent" xlink:title="definition: AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems to AccruedPublicOfferingCostsCurrent" use="optional" order="12.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_EquityFinancingObligation" xlink:label="EquityFinancingObligation" xlink:title="EquityFinancingObligation" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems" xlink:to="EquityFinancingObligation" xlink:title="definition: AccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesLineItems to EquityFinancingObligation" use="optional" order="13.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShareOfCommonStockDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:label="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:title="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" xlink:label="ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" xlink:title="ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:to="ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" xlink:title="definition: AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems to ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" use="optional" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:label="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:title="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" xlink:to="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable to AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:label="AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:title="AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:to="AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:title="definition: AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis to AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:label="AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_2" xlink:title="AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:to="AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis to AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_NonVestedStockIssuedMember" xlink:label="NonVestedStockIssuedMember" xlink:title="NonVestedStockIssuedMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:to="NonVestedStockIssuedMember" xlink:title="definition: AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain to NonVestedStockIssuedMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="nerv-20140630.xsd#nerv_EmployeeAndNonEmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:label="EmployeeAndNonEmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:title="EmployeeAndNonEmployeeStockOptionMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:to="EmployeeAndNonEmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:title="definition: AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain to EmployeeAndNonEmployeeStockOptionMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xlink:label="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xlink:title="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:to="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xlink:title="definition: AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems to AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" use="optional" order="2.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems" xlink:label="OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems" xlink:title="OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable" xlink:label="OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable" xlink:title="OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable" xlink:title="definition: OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems to OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable" use="optional" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis" xlink:label="IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis" xlink:title="IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable" xlink:to="IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis" xlink:title="definition: OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable to IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain" xlink:label="IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain" xlink:title="IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis" xlink:to="IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain" xlink:title="definition: IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis to IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain" xlink:label="IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain_2" xlink:title="IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis" xlink:to="IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis to IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InternalRevenueServiceIRSMember" xlink:label="InternalRevenueServiceIRSMember" xlink:title="InternalRevenueServiceIRSMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain" xlink:to="InternalRevenueServiceIRSMember" xlink:title="definition: IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain to InternalRevenueServiceIRSMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewJerseyDivisionOfTaxationMember" xlink:label="NewJerseyDivisionOfTaxationMember" xlink:title="NewJerseyDivisionOfTaxationMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain" xlink:to="NewJerseyDivisionOfTaxationMember" xlink:title="definition: IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain to NewJerseyDivisionOfTaxationMember" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards" xlink:label="OperatingLossCarryforwards" xlink:title="OperatingLossCarryforwards" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems" xlink:to="OperatingLossCarryforwards" xlink:title="definition: OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems to OperatingLossCarryforwards" use="optional" order="2.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails2">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardLineItems" xlink:label="TaxCreditCarryforwardLineItems" xlink:title="TaxCreditCarryforwardLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardTable" xlink:label="TaxCreditCarryforwardTable" xlink:title="TaxCreditCarryforwardTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="TaxCreditCarryforwardLineItems" xlink:to="TaxCreditCarryforwardTable" xlink:title="definition: TaxCreditCarryforwardLineItems to TaxCreditCarryforwardTable" use="optional" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardAxis" xlink:label="TaxCreditCarryforwardAxis" xlink:title="TaxCreditCarryforwardAxis" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="TaxCreditCarryforwardTable" xlink:to="TaxCreditCarryforwardAxis" xlink:title="definition: TaxCreditCarryforwardTable to TaxCreditCarryforwardAxis" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardNameDomain" xlink:label="TaxCreditCarryforwardNameDomain" xlink:title="TaxCreditCarryforwardNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="TaxCreditCarryforwardAxis" xlink:to="TaxCreditCarryforwardNameDomain" xlink:title="definition: TaxCreditCarryforwardAxis to TaxCreditCarryforwardNameDomain" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardNameDomain" xlink:label="TaxCreditCarryforwardNameDomain_2" xlink:title="TaxCreditCarryforwardNameDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="TaxCreditCarryforwardAxis" xlink:to="TaxCreditCarryforwardNameDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: TaxCreditCarryforwardAxis to TaxCreditCarryforwardNameDomain" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ResearchMember" xlink:label="ResearchMember" xlink:title="ResearchMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="TaxCreditCarryforwardNameDomain" xlink:to="ResearchMember" xlink:title="definition: TaxCreditCarryforwardNameDomain to ResearchMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardAmount" xlink:label="TaxCreditCarryforwardAmount" xlink:title="TaxCreditCarryforwardAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="TaxCreditCarryforwardLineItems" xlink:to="TaxCreditCarryforwardAmount" xlink:title="definition: TaxCreditCarryforwardLineItems to TaxCreditCarryforwardAmount" use="optional" order="2.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.minervaneurosciences.com/role/StatementOfStockholdersEquity">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:title="StatementEquityComponentsAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="EquityComponentDomain" xlink:title="EquityComponentDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:to="EquityComponentDomain" xlink:title="definition: StatementEquityComponentsAxis to EquityComponentDomain" use="optional" order="10.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="EquityComponentDomain_2" xlink:title="EquityComponentDomain" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:to="EquityComponentDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: StatementEquityComponentsAxis to EquityComponentDomain" use="optional" order="20.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="CommonStockMember" xlink:title="CommonStockMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="EquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="CommonStockMember" xlink:title="definition: EquityComponentDomain to CommonStockMember" use="optional" order="10.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:label="AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:title="AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="EquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:title="definition: EquityComponentDomain to AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" use="optional" order="20.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember" xlink:label="RetainedEarningsMember" xlink:title="RetainedEarningsMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="EquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="RetainedEarningsMember" xlink:title="definition: EquityComponentDomain to RetainedEarningsMember" use="optional" order="30.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="StatementLineItems" xlink:title="StatementLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="StatementTable" xlink:title="StatementTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="StatementLineItems" xlink:to="StatementTable" xlink:title="definition: StatementLineItems to StatementTable" use="optional" order="10.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="StatementTable" xlink:to="StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:title="definition: StatementTable to StatementEquityComponentsAxis" use="optional" order="10.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:label="IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:title="IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StatementLineItems" xlink:to="IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:title="definition: StatementLineItems to IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" use="optional" order="20.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity" xlink:label="StockholdersEquity" xlink:title="StockholdersEquity" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:to="StockholdersEquity" xlink:title="definition: IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward to StockholdersEquity" use="optional" order="10.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesIssued" xlink:label="SharesIssued" xlink:title="SharesIssued" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:to="SharesIssued" xlink:title="definition: IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward to SharesIssued" use="optional" order="20.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions" xlink:label="StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions" xlink:title="StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:to="StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions" xlink:title="definition: IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward to StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions" use="optional" order="30.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" xlink:label="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" xlink:title="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions" xlink:to="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" xlink:title="definition: StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions to StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions" use="optional" order="10.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross" xlink:label="StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross" xlink:title="StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:to="StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross" xlink:title="definition: IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward to StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross" use="optional" order="40.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross" xlink:label="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross" xlink:title="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross" xlink:to="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross" xlink:title="definition: StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross to StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross" use="optional" order="10.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue" xlink:label="AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue" xlink:title="AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:to="AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue" xlink:title="definition: IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward to AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue" use="optional" order="50.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2014/elts/us-gaap-2014-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic" xlink:label="NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic" xlink:title="NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:to="NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic" xlink:title="definition: IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward to NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic" use="optional" order="60.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>