NextCell Pharma AB

What NextCell Pharma AB does

NextCell Pharma AB is a Swedish clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in 2014 and headquartered in Huddinge, Sweden (adjacent to Karolinska University Hospital), listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market under ticker NXTCL. The company's core technology is the NXTCL platform — an allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy derived from umbilical cord tissue (Wharton's Jelly), paired with a patented cell selection algorithm that identifies optimal donor cells for specific disease indications by weighing functional analysis results. This architecture supports a pipeline of four drug candidates: NXTCL-T1D (lead, type 1 diabetes), NXTCL-VRD (viral respiratory disease), NXTCL-nRD (neonatal respiratory disease), and NXTCL-CNS (CNS inflammatory diseases), with the lead program having generated seven-year follow-up data showing sustained endogenous insulin preservation in treated patients.

NextCell operates three commercial or near-commercial business lines through wholly-owned subsidiaries. Cellaviva AB is Scandinavia's largest private family stem cell bank (the only one with IVO permission), generating the vast majority of current revenue (2.6 MSEK of 2.7 MSEK total Q1 2026 net sales) from subscription-based cord blood and tissue preservation services for expectant parents. QVance AB provides fee-for-service analytical testing for advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) developers in the Nordic region. NextCell Hongkong Ltd, established in 2025-2026, serves as the gateway to the Chinese market and is supported by participation in JETRO's Japan Entry Acceleration Program. The company launched its first commercial product, NextCell-Cord RUO (research-use MSC product), in May 2026 via a global distribution partnership with FUJIFILM Biosciences.

The revenue model is mixed: subscription/recurring revenue from Cellaviva, professional services from QVance, one-time product sales of research-grade MSC products via FUJIFILM, and future licensing/royalty potential from NXTCL drug candidates (pre-revenue at current clinical stage). Go-to-market spans direct-to-consumer (Cellaviva), direct enterprise sales (QVance, RUO products), distributor-led global reach (FUJIFILM), and investigator-initiated clinical trials with academic partners (Uppsala University, McGill University, Karolinska University Hospital) that supply clinical data in exchange for drug product. The company plans to fund Phase 3 development of NXTCL-T1D and pursue market authorization, potentially in partnership with a commercial pharmaceutical company.

Name

NextCell Pharma AB

Legal name

NextCell Pharma AB

Website

https://nextcellpharma.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NextCell Pharma AB is a Swedish clinical-stage biotech developing allogeneic MSC therapies (NXTCL platform) led by NXTCL-T1D for type 1 diabetes, with three subsidiaries: Cellaviva stem cell bank, QVance ATMP analytical services, and NextCell Hongkong for Asia-Pacific market entry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cell Therapy / Biopharmaceuticals

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (32541)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Regulatory Strategy & IND/NDA/BLA Submissions Support (HLAIALAH)

Keywords

• Cell therapy development
• Mesenchymal stromal cells
• Stem cell banking
• Autoimmune disease therapeutics
• ATMP analytical services

Headquarters

HQ city

Huddinge

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Stem Cell Banking - Cellaviva: Cellaviva, a wholly-owned subsidiary, is Scandinavia's largest family stem cell bank offering preservation of stem cells from umbilical cord blood and tissue for families' potential future medical needs. Revenue is generated from stem cell collection, processing, and storage services. Cellaviva generated 2.6 MSEK of the 2.7 MSEK total net revenue in Q1 2026.
2. Research-Use Products (NextCell-Cord RUO): Sale of research-grade MSC products (NextCell-Cord RUO) for use in laboratory research. Revenue generated from product sales via FUJIFILM Biosciences distribution network and direct sales. Launched commercially in May 2026 in partnership with FUJIFILM Biosciences. Impact on operating results expected to be limited in the near 12-month period.
3. Analytical Services - QVance: QVance, a wholly-owned subsidiary, provides analytical services for advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) developers in the Nordic region. Revenue generated from fee-for-service analytical testing and quality services.
4. Drug Development / Future Product Revenue: Future revenue anticipated from market authorization and commercialization of NXTCL drug candidates (led by NXTCL-T1D for type 1 diabetes). Company plans to pursue Phase 3 trial and market approval, potentially in partnership with a pharmaceutical company. Pre-revenue at current clinical stage.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NextCell Pharma AB is a clinical-stage Swedish biotech developing allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapies derived from umbilical cord tissue (Wharton's Jelly) using a proprietary patented selection algorithm, with the lead drug candidate NXTCL-T1D for type 1 diabetes. The company also operates Cellaviva, Scandinavia's largest family stem cell bank for cord blood/tissue preservation, and QVance, a Nordic analytical services provider for advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) developers. Commercial research-use MSC products (NextCell-Cord RUO) are distributed globally via FUJIFILM Biosciences.

Product overview

NextCell Pharma AB is a clinical-phase cell therapy company developing the patented NXTCL platform based on allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from umbilical cord tissue for treatment of immune-mediated diseases. The company operates a platform-plus-candidates architecture with four drug candidates (NXTCL-T1D for type 1 diabetes, NXTCL-VRD for viral respiratory disease, NXTCL-nRD for neonatal respiratory distress, NXTCL-CNS for CNS inflammatory diseases). Commercial offerings include NextCell-Cord RUO and NEXTCELL-MSC RUO research-use-only products distributed via FUJIFILM Biosciences. The group includes three wholly-owned subsidiaries: Cellaviva (Scandinavia's largest stem cell bank), QVance (Nordic ATMP analytical services), NextCell Sverige AB, and NextCell Hongkong Ltd, plus an 8.5% stake in FamicordTx.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NXTCL-T1D: Drug candidate for type 1 diabetes based on NXTCL platform
• NXTCL-VRD
• NXTCL-nRD
• NXTCL-CNS
• NextCell-Cord RUO
• NEXTCELL-MSC RUO
• ProTrans
• Cellaviva
• QVance

Products and services

• NXTCL Platform Proprietary allogeneic cell therapy platform based on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from umbilical cord tissue (Wharton's Jelly), utilizing a patented selection algorithm to identify optimal donor cells for specific diseases, enabling off-the-shelf, scalable, immune-modulating cell therapies.
• NXTCL-T1D Lead drug candidate for treatment of type 1 diabetes based on a single infusion of allogeneic MSCs that has shown ability to preserve endogenous insulin production and slow disease progression for multiple years in clinical trials.
• NXTCL-VRD Drug candidate for treatment of severe viral respiratory disease, including severe pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2, influenza, RS virus, and HMPV, currently in clinical Phase 1/2.
• NXTCL-nRD Drug candidate for treatment of premature infants with underdeveloped lungs, currently in preclinical research and development phase.
• NXTCL-CNS Drug candidate for inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, currently in preclinical research and development phase.
• NextCell-Cord RUO Research-use-only MSC product derived from umbilical cord tissue, providing standardized, reproducible cell material for researchers in immunology, regenerative medicine, and cell therapy development. Distributed globally via FUJIFILM Biosciences and directly.
• NEXTCELL-MSC RUO Research-use-only MSC product targeted at pharmaceutical companies and academic researchers conducting MSC-based research and cell therapy development.
• Cellaviva Scandinavia's largest private stem cell bank offering family preservation of stem cells from umbilical cord blood and tissue for potential future medical needs. Only stem cell bank in Scandinavia with permission from IVO (Swedish Inspection for Health and Care). Operations expanded to Denmark.
• QVance Nordic provider of fee-for-service analytical testing and quality characterization services for advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) developers. Founded by drug developers for drug developers.

Quantifiable outcome

• ProTrans-treated patients retained 90% of endogenous insulin production one year post-treatment vs. 53% in placebo group (Phase 2, p<0.05)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• FUJIFILM BiosciencescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 May 2026Global commercial platform partnership combining NextCell's research-grade umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (NextCell-Cord RUO) with FUJIFILM's specialized cell culture medium (PRIME-XV MSC Expansion XSFM). The partnership provides a standardized, pre-validated MSC research solution targeting the global MSC market valued at over USD 3 billion in 2023, projected to exceed USD 7 billion by 2030. NextCell-Cord RUO is available on all major global markets via FUJIFILM Biosciences or directly from NextCell. The collaboration strengthens both companies' positions in the life sciences sector, with FUJIFILM providing its established distribution network and cell culture expertise alongside NextCell's MSC product.
• JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization)supportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026NextCell participated in JETRO's Japan Entry Acceleration Program (JEAP) within regenerative medicine, an international accelerator program initiated and funded by JETRO. The program included leading life science companies from North America and Europe and supports market entry into Japan. NextCell presented a strategic update focusing on Hong Kong as a gateway to the Chinese market, supported by the establishment of NextCell Hongkong Ltd.
• OptiCell Solutions ABsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2025Collaboration agreement for handling, freezing, storage, and transport of cell products used in research and development. The partnership leverages NextCell's existing infrastructure and is expected to contribute financial support towards the ongoing development of ProTrans (NXTCL-T1D), NextCell's lead drug candidate for type 1 diabetes. OptiCell manages donor and customer relations while enhancing cell management capabilities for advanced therapies.
• FamicordTxminorOthers · 6 September 2024NextCell owns 8.5% of the shares in FamicordTx, representing a minority equity investment in a related stem cell or cord blood company. This investment aligns with NextCell's broader cell therapy ecosystem strategy and provides potential synergies in the stem cell banking and therapy space.
• Uppsala University / Per-Ola CarlssoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Uppsala University, led by Professor Per-Ola Carlsson, sponsors the ProTrans-Young pediatric clinical trial (Phase 1/2) treating 66 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Uppsala provides research funding estimated at 60-80 million SEK. NextCell provides ProTrans drug product at no cost in exchange for clinical data valuable for regulatory submissions and market authorization. This investigator-initiated trial represents a cost-effective development pathway for NextCell while generating high-quality clinical evidence at a leading academic institution.
• McGill University / Dr. Inés ColmegnasupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021McGill University in Montreal, Canada sponsors a Phase 2 clinical trial (ProTrans19+CA) evaluating ProTrans for COVID-19 respiratory complications. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted at two McGill University-affiliated hospitals. The Phase II study results were accepted for publication in Cytotherapy, the official journal of the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT). The study confirmed short-term safety but could not draw definitive efficacy conclusions due to limited enrollment and early trial termination.
• Karolinska University Hospital / Karolinska InstitutetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Long-standing collaboration with Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet for clinical trial conduct and research. The first patient was treated with ProTrans at Karolinska University Hospital's clinical trial unit in 2018. Professor Edvard Smith serves as Medical Director and board member, holding positions at Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital. Clinical trials conducted in collaboration with these institutions provide access to world-class research infrastructure.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mesoblast Limited: Australia-listed allogeneic cell therapy company developing mesenchymal lineage cell products (remestemcel-L/Ryoncil, Revascor) for inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases. Directly comparable to NextCell in MSC platform, indication strategy, and regulatory pathway.
• ViaCyte (Vertex Pharmaceuticals): Pioneer in stem cell-derived therapies for type 1 diabetes, acquired by Vertex in 2022 alongside VX-880 (islet cell therapy). Most direct therapeutic-area peer to NXTCL-T1D, sharing the same autoimmune T1D patient population and disease-modifying ambition.
• Athersys / Healios: Developer of MultiStem (multipotent adult progenitor cell therapy) for stroke, ARDS, and other inflammatory indications. Direct allogeneic cell-therapy peer with similar indication overlap in acute respiratory disease.
• Pluristem Therapeutics: Israel-based developer of PLX (placenta-derived, MSC-like) cell therapies for muscle injury, hematological disorders, and inflammatory conditions. Comparable allogeneic cell-therapy platform targeting immune-mediated diseases.
• Diamyd Medical: Swedish clinical-stage biotech developing an antigen-specific immunotherapy (Diamyd / GAD65) to preserve beta-cell function in type 1 diabetes. Direct T1D-indication peer, listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market like NextCell, and a meaningful shareholder (4.4%) of NextCell.

Broad incumbents

• Sanofi: Approved Tzield (teplizumab) for delay of Stage 3 type 1 diabetes — the benchmark competitor for NXTCL-T1D. As a large incumbent with established commercial infrastructure, Sanofi sets the standard against which any new T1D disease-modifying therapy will be measured.

Emerging players

• Capricor Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech developing cell therapies (CAP-1002, cardiosphere-derived cells) for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other inflammatory diseases. Comparable platform-based approach using allogeneic cell products in rare/orphan indications.
• Fate Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech developing off-the-shelf iPSC-derived NK and T-cell therapies for cancer and autoimmune disease. Comparable in 'off-the-shelf' allogeneic cell therapy positioning and platform-based pipeline expansion, though focused on different cell types.

Regional players

• Cells4Life (Cell Care): UK-based private cord blood and tissue stem cell bank competing with NextCell's Cellaviva subsidiary in the family stem-cell preservation market. Relevant peer for evaluating Cellaviva's consumer-side growth and competitive positioning in Europe.

Others

• Lonza Group: Leading global contract manufacturer for cell and gene therapies (including MSC-based products). Relevant as a potential manufacturing partner or peer for QVance's Nordic analytical services positioning, and as an indicator of cell-therapy manufacturing economics relevant to NextCell's commercial scale-up.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nextcellpharma
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/15255207

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 NextCell Pharma AB