Newsletter Axol Bioscience

 

Welcome to the February newsletter edition. We’re excited to share the latest updates that show how we’ve already hit the ground running this year. Our team continues to drive forward our mission to support the iPSC research community with physiologically relevant human disease models that accelerate discovery and de‑risk drug development.

 

This month, we’re highlighting key developments, including our acquisition of the ophthalmology business from Newcells Biotech. We’ve also had a busy month attending key industry events, SLAS 2026, WORD+, FISCI, and CHDI, engaging with leading scientists.

 

Continue reading to discover the exciting developments that have kept us moving forward throughout February and to learn about upcoming opportunities to connect with our experts.

 

Key highlights in February

 

  1. Axol Bioscience acquires ophthalmology business from Newcells Biotech
  2. New eBook: Physiologically relevant in vitro retinal models for ophthalmology drug discovery and safety testing
  3. We presented new data at the 21st Annual Huntington’s Disease Therapeutics Conference, CHDI
  4. Advancing Huntington’s disease research with physiologically relevant models
  5. Advancing microglial research with custom phagocytosis bait labeling
  6. New application note: Profiling ALS variants and ion channel expression changes with HT Automated Patch Clamp
  7. Where you can meet the Axol team

 

 

 

Axol Bioscience acquires ophthalmology business from Newcells Biotech

 

We are thrilled to announce that we have acquired the ophthalmology business of Newcells Biotech, a leading drug discovery partner specialising in the development of in vitro models and bespoke assay services.

This acquisition expands our portfolio of iPSC-derived retinal organoid and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) models, strengthening our position as the leading provider of physiologically relevant in vitro retinal models for ophthalmology drug discovery and safety testing.

 

 

New eBook: Physiologically relevant in vitro retinal models for ophthalmology drug discovery and safety testing

Our new ebook outlines key in vitro systems for retinal disease modeling and toxicology assessment using human iPSC‑derived cells.

  • axoCells™ human iPSC‑derived RPE cells
  • axoCells™ human iPSC‑derived microglia
  • Human iPSC‑derived retinal organoids

Application focus: dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in vitro model using relevant stressors.

 

 

We presented new data at the 21st Annual Huntington’s Disease Therapeutics Conference CHDI

 

Our team attended the 21st Annual Huntington’s Disease Therapeutics Conference CHDI, where they connected with the HD community and presented two posters.

 

 

Advancing Huntington’s disease research with physiologically relevant models

Understanding early‑onset Huntington’s disease (HD) requires models that truly reflect the biology driving the most severe forms of the condition. Our ax0219 iPSC‑derived neural stem cells provide exactly that.

Derived from the CENSOi019‑B line, these cells originate from a female donor aged 7, carrying HTT CAG14/CAG125 repeats, a genotype typical of early‑onset HD. This line demonstrates somatic CAG repeat instability, a key modifier of disease onset and progression, and now shows CAG143 after continued expansion in vitro.

 

 

 

Advancing microglial research with custom phagocytosis bait labeling

Understanding microglial phagocytosis is central to decoding neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative processes. At Axol Bioscience, we’re committed to giving researchers the tools they need to capture these dynamic cellular events with clarity, precision, and reproducibility.

We have extensively characterized our phagocytosis assay across a range of pHrodo-labeled baits. The pH sensitivity of pHrodo drives increased fluorescence on lysosomal uptake. Particles include alpha-synuclein (relevant to Parkinson’s disease modeling), dead neurons, and beta amyloid (relevant to Alzheimer’s disease modeling).

 

 

New application note: Profiling ALS variants and ion channel expression changes with HT Automated Patch Clamp

 

In collaboration with Nanion Technologies, we have developed a new application note, showcasing our axoCells™ human iPSC-derived motor neurons on the high-throughput Nanion SyncroPatch high‑throughput electrophysiology 384 platform.

Combining human iPSC‑derived motor neurons with high‑throughput automated patch clamp provides a powerful platform that links mechanistic disease modeling with functional screening, enabling systematic assessment of ion channel-targeted therapies in a human physiologically relevant neuronal model.

 

 

Axol Bioscience, coming to a conference near you

Our 2026 conference schedule is filling up fast. Come and see us if you're attending the following conferences.

  • ADPD on 16-21 March in Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Cosmetotest on 18-19 March in Lyon, France
  • SoT on 22-25 March in San Diego, CA

 

 

 

Physiologically relevant iPSC-derived models

 

 

 

 

 

We use iPSCs to build more relevant models of human disease to expand your understanding and de-risk drug development.