Axol Bioscience Ltd. recently announced it has acquired the ophthalmology business of Newcells Biotech, a leading drug discovery partner specializing in the development of in vitro models and bespoke assay services.

The acquisition of Newcells’ ophthalmology business includes its specialist team, facilities and intellectual property related to supply of proprietary iPSC-derived products and ophthalmology research services to biopharma, biotechnology and CRO customers across Europe and the United States. Developed over more than a decade, the platforms encompass advanced retinal organoids and 2D retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) models designed to support preclinical research and translational drug development.

Growing investment in research to discover new therapeutics for eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and rare disease has driven Axol’s strategic expansion into ophthalmology with the acquisition of Phenocell in October 2024. The acquisition of Newcells’ ophthalmology business further strengthens the company’s position as the leading independent provider of iPSC-derived in vitro models for ophthalmology drug discovery, gene therapy development, and retinal safety and toxicity studies.

The news follows Axol’s recent $2.8 million financing, led by US life sciences investor BroadOak Capital Partners, which is supporting expansion of its US commercial operations, product development and manufacturing scale-up.

“Following our recent financing and continued strong revenue growth, we are executing on a clear strategy to scale Axol internationally and deepen our scientific capabilities. The addition of Newcells’ retinal organoid business is our third acquisition in five years and significantly enhances our ophthalmology offering, combining complementary expertise and intellectual property to create the most comprehensive independent portfolio of iPSC-derived retinal models globally,” said Liam Taylor, CEO of Axol Bioscience.

“Newcells has developed a highly sophisticated and scalable retinal organoid platform focused on predictive, human-relevant iPSC-derived retinal models that are recognized across the industry. Integrating this capability with Axol’s existing ophthalmology portfolio enables us to offer a broader, more physiologically relevant toolkit to support research. As drug developers increasingly seek predictive human models to de-risk programs earlier, this acquisition further positions Axol at the forefront of ophthalmology drug discovery and safety testing” said Florian Regent, Head of Ophthalmology, Axol Bioscience.

Axol Bioscience is a leading provider of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies, supplying high-quality iPSC-derived cells, reagents, and specialist services for drug discovery and disease research. With over a decade of expertise, Axol partners with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, CROs, and academic institutions worldwide to develop physiologically relevant human in vitro disease models across neuroscience, ophthalmology, cardiovascular disease, and other key therapeutic areas. For more information, visit https://axolbio.com/.

Newcells Biotech (Newcells) develops functionally validated in vitro models and bespoke assay services to improve the prediction of in vivo human outcomes in drug discovery. Bridging the gap between scientific discovery and the patient, the Company supports researchers in de-risking decision-making and improving clinical translation, to accelerate safer new medicines to market.

Bringing together globally recognized experts in bioengineering, human stem and primary cell biology, Newcells provides targeted solutions at critical stages of drug discovery and development programmes. The Company’s in vitro organ models accurately mimic complex human physiology in retina, kidney, and lung tissues. The team works collaboratively with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies including Roche, Novartis, Pfizer and Takeda to demonstrate the effectiveness of the technology in a range of safety, ADME and efficacy applications.  Newcells’ state-of-the-art facilities are based at The Biosphere, at the heart of the life science eco-system, the Helix in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. For more information, visit https://newcellsbiotech.co.uk/.