Axol Bioscience Acquires Newcells Biotech Ophthalmology Business
Axol Bioscience has acquired the ophthalmology business of Newcells Biotech, adding advanced retinal organoid and 2D RPE models to its iPSC portfolio. The deal follows Axol's acquisition of Phenocell and a $2.8 million financing led by BroadOak Capital Partners. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Axol Bioscience Ltd., a provider of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies, has acquired the ophthalmology business of Newcells Biotech, a drug discovery partner specializing in in vitro models and bespoke assay services. Announced on 18 February 2026, the acquisition includes Newcells' specialist team, facilities and intellectual property related to proprietary iPSC-derived products and ophthalmology research services supplied to biopharma, biotechnology and CRO customers in Europe and the United States.
The platforms, developed over more than a decade, include advanced retinal organoids and 2D retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) models designed to support preclinical research and translational drug development. The acquisition builds on Axol's expansion into ophthalmology following its acquisition of Phenocell in October 2024, reflecting growing investment in research into eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and rare diseases. The company said the deal further strengthens its position as a leading independent provider of iPSC-derived in vitro models for ophthalmology drug discovery, gene therapy development, and retinal safety and toxicity studies.
The announcement follows Axol's recent $2.8 million financing led by BroadOak Capital Partners, which is supporting expansion of its US commercial operations, product development and manufacturing scale-up.
The CEO of Axol Bioscience said the addition of Newcells' retinal organoid business is the company's 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." The 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 the company to offer a broader, more physiologically relevant toolkit to support research, he added. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.