Axol Bioscience, a provider of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies, nnounced the acquisition of the ophthalmology business of Newcells Biotech, a drug discovery partner specialising in advanced in vitro models and bespoke assay services. The acquisition includes Newcells’ specialist ophthalmology team, laboratory facilities and intellectual property related to its proprietary iPSC-derived retinal products and research services.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

For more than a decade, Newcells has developed sophisticated platforms spanning advanced retinal organoids and two-dimensional retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) models. These technologies are widely used by biopharma, biotechnology and contract research organisation (CRO) customers across Europe and the United States to support preclinical research and translational drug development.

Axol stated that the deal strengthens its position as an independent provider of iPSC-derived in vitro models for ophthalmology drug discovery, gene therapy development, and retinal safety and toxicity testing. Axol first expanded into ophthalmology with its acquisition of Phenocell in October 2024. 

The announcement follows Axol’s recent $2.8 million financing round led by US life sciences investor BroadOak Capital Partners. The funding is supporting expansion of the company’s US commercial operations, product development initiatives 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,” said Liam Taylor, CEO of Axol Bioscience. “The addition of Newcells’ retinal organoid business is our third acquisition in 5 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.”

Newcells’ retinal organoid platform is a predictive, human-relevant iPSC-derived model that closely replicates retinal structure and function. By integrating these capabilities with Axol’s existing ophthalmology portfolio, the company aims to provide drug developers with a broader and more physiologically relevant toolkit to support research and de-risk programmes earlier in development.