Axol Bioscience acquires Newcells Biotech ophthalmology business
Deal strengthens Axol’s position as a leading independent provider of human iPSC-derived retinal models for drug discovery and safety testing.
Axol Bioscience Ltd. has acquired the ophthalmology business of Newcells Biotech, expanding its capabilities in retinal disease modelling and strengthening its position as a leading independent provider of physiologically relevant human in vitro models for drug discovery and safety testing.
The acquisition includes Newcells’ specialist scientific team, facilities, and intellectual property related to its proprietary induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived retinal organoids and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) models. These platforms are used by pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and CRO customers across Europe and the United States to support preclinical research and translational drug development.
Expanding capabilities in retinal disease research
Newcells’ retinal models have been developed over more than a decade and are designed to replicate key aspects of human retinal physiology. These systems enable drug developers to better assess safety, efficacy, and toxicity earlier in development, helping improve decision-making and reduce the risk of late-stage failure.
The acquisition strengthens Axol’s ability to support research into ophthalmic diseases including age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and rare retinal disorders, areas where predictive human-relevant models are increasingly important.
Liam Taylor, CEO of Axol Bioscience, said:
“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.”
Building on strategic expansion in ophthalmology
The acquisition follows Axol’s expansion into ophthalmology with its acquisition of Phenocell in October 2024. The addition of Newcells’ capabilities further broadens the company’s ophthalmology portfolio, strengthening its ability to support drug discovery, gene therapy development, and retinal safety and toxicity studies.
Florian Regent, Head of Ophthalmology at Axol Bioscience, said:
“Newcells has developed a highly sophisticated and scalable retinal organoid platform focused on predictive, human-relevant iPSC-derived retinal models that are recognised 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 programmes earlier, this acquisition further positions Axol at the forefront of ophthalmology drug discovery and safety testing.”
Supporting predictive drug discovery with human-relevant models
Axol Bioscience has more than a decade of experience supplying human iPSC-derived cells, reagents, and specialist services to pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, CROs, and academic institutions worldwide. Its in vitro disease models support research across therapeutic areas including neuroscience, ophthalmology, and cardiovascular disease.
Newcells Biotech has developed in vitro organ models designed to improve prediction of human outcomes in drug discovery. Its technologies are used by pharmaceutical companies including Roche, Novartis, Pfizer, and Takeda to support safety, ADME, and efficacy studies, helping bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical outcomes.
Positioning for continued international growth
The acquisition follows Axol’s recent $2.8 million financing round led by BroadOak Capital Partners, which is supporting expansion of its US commercial operations, product development, and manufacturing scale-up.
By integrating Newcells’ ophthalmology business, Axol Bioscience is strengthening its ability to provide advanced in vitro platforms that enable more predictive and efficient drug discovery. The combined expertise and technologies position the company to better support pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners developing new therapies for retinal diseases and other areas of unmet medical need.
Author
BioFocus Newsroom