What Newcells Biotech does

Newcells Biotech, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, developed induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived 3D human tissue models sold to pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and contract research organizations for preclinical drug safety and efficacy testing. The company's core technology centered on differentiating iPSCs into organ-specific 3D models covering the retina, kidney, lung, and liver, offering a physiologically relevant in vitro alternative to animal testing that aimed to reduce translational failure in drug development pipelines.

The product portfolio comprised 3D human tissue models and specialist research services delivered through direct enterprise sales to global pharmaceutical and biotech customers. Revenue was generated through one-time sales of tissue model products and professional research services for biopharma and biotech clients, with pricing handled via undisclosed B2B quote-based arrangements. The company's go-to-market motion relied on direct industry engagement, conference participation, and targeted US market expansion backed by repeated venture rounds from Mercia Asset Management, NorthStar Ventures, NVM Private Equity, and the North East Fund.

In February 2026, the company entered administration; Axol Bioscience acquired the ophthalmology (retinal) business out of administration, preserving the specialist team and related intellectual property, while 18 jobs were lost as the remaining non-retina operations ceased. As of the most recent reporting, Newcells Biotech no longer operates as an independent going concern.

Name

Newcells Biotech

Legal name

Newcells Biotech Limited

Website

https://newcellsbiotech.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Newcells Biotech, founded in 2015 in Newcastle, UK, developed iPSC-derived 3D human tissue models (retina, kidney, lung, liver) for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and CRO customers performing preclinical drug safety and efficacy testing as an alternative to animal models.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Preclinical Drug Testing Models

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

In Vitro Model Systems & Organoid Platforms (iPSC/organoids, microphysiological systems) (HLAAAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cell Therapy Enabling Technologies (gene editing, cell engineering, delivery methods) (HLAAABAL), Target Identification & Validation Platforms (omics-driven, chemoproteomics, genetic validation) (HLAAAIAI)

Keywords

• 3D tissue models
• IPSC-derived cells
• Preclinical drug testing
• Animal testing alternatives
• Ophthalmology research models

Headquarters

HQ city

Newcastle Upon Tyne

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 3D Human Tissue Model Sales: Sale of 3D human tissue models to pharmaceutical companies for drug safety and efficacy testing
2. Research Services: Specialist research services for biopharma and biotech customers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Newcells Biotech develops and supplies 3D human tissue models derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for use in drug discovery and preclinical safety/efficacy testing. Its organ-specific product line covers retina, kidney, lung, and liver models that pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and CRO clients use as human-relevant alternatives to animal testing.

Product overview

Newcells Biotech is a biotech company founded in 2015 that develops 3D human tissue models as alternatives to animal testing for pharmaceutical drug development. The company produces a portfolio of tissue models including retina, kidney, lung, and liver tissues, which are used by pharmaceutical companies worldwide to test drug safety and efficacy. In February 2026, the ophthalmology (retina) business was acquired by Axol Bioscience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Retina 3D Tissue Models iPSC-derived 3D retinal tissue models for ophthalmology research and preclinical drug testing, used by pharmaceutical and biotech customers and sold to Axol Bioscience as part of the February 2026 ophthalmology transaction.
• Kidney 3D Tissue Models iPSC-derived 3D kidney tissue models for nephrotoxicity testing and renal drug safety assessment for pharmaceutical and biotech customers.
• Lung 3D Tissue Models iPSC-derived 3D lung tissue models for respiratory research and drug discovery applications.
• Liver 3D Tissue Models iPSC-derived 3D liver tissue models for hepatotoxicity testing and drug metabolism studies for pharmaceutical and biotech customers.
• iPSC-Derived Cell Models Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell models used by pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic customers as the cellular foundation for organ-specific 3D tissue model products and drug discovery research.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Axol BiosciencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2026Axol Bioscience acquired the ophthalmology business from Newcells Biotech out of administration on February 12, 2026. The acquisition included specialist team, facilities, and intellectual property related to iPSC-derived retinal products and research services for biopharma and biotech customers. This marked Axol's third acquisition in five years.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mimetas: Dutch organ-on-chip company producing microfluidic 3D tissue models for toxicology and disease modeling. Directly comparable technology category and customer overlap with Newcells' kidney and liver model offerings.
• CN Bio Innovations: UK-based organ-on-chip company offering multi-organ microphysiological systems (liver, lung, gut) for drug safety and efficacy testing. Comparable as a UK-headquartered alternative-to-animal-testing platform targeting the same pharma preclinical customers.
• InSphero: Swiss 3D in vitro model company producing organotypic liver, pancreatic, and tumor microtissues used in pharma preclinical safety and efficacy testing. Directly comparable as an alternative-to-animal-testing 3D tissue platform.
• DefiniGEN: UK-based developer of iPSC-derived hepatocyte and disease models for drug discovery, particularly liver and metabolic disease. Overlaps directly with Newcells' liver tissue model line and iPSC-derived cell business.
• Emulate Inc. US-based organ-on-chip platform company commercialising the Emulate Chip for liver, kidney, lung, and intestinal models in pharma R&D. Comparable as a competing physiologically-relevant human tissue platform for preclinical testing.
• Ncardia: Belgian/Dutch iPSC-derived cell provider (formed from Pluriomics and Axiogenesis) focused on cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other iPSC-derived cell models for drug discovery and safety testing. Closely comparable business model and customer base to Newcells.
• Axol Bioscience: Cambridge-based iPSC technology provider that acquired Newcells' ophthalmology business out of administration in February 2026. Directly comparable as a manufacturer of iPSC-derived cells and disease model services for pharma, biotech, and CROs, and now operates the rescued retinal organoid assets.

Others

• Lonza Group: Global CDMO and cell & gene services provider offering iPSC-related manufacturing, cell banking, and assay services. A broad incumbent in the cell-based services and manufacturing space overlapping Newcells' offering.

Broad incumbents

• F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Major pharma with substantial in-house organoid and iPSC programs and partnerships across ophthalmology and other therapeutic areas. Functions as a broad incumbent customer and occasional competitor in the iPSC-based drug discovery space.
• Charles River Laboratories: Large global CRO offering preclinical safety and efficacy services including early-stage in vitro and cell-based assays for pharma. Competes with Newcells as a broad incumbent with deeper resources and broader service portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Newcells Biotech