Newcells Biotech, a Newcastle upon Tyne, UK-based maker of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), secured £2m in funding.
Backers included NVM Private Equity and Northstar Ventures.
The company intends to use the funds to expand its current capabilities, accelerating plans to develop and launch new cell-based assays for pre-clinical drug discovery and development.
Founded on the technology of Prof Lyle Armstrong and Prof Majlinda Lako from Newcastle University, Newcells Biotech is at the forefront of the production and differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), which is quickly advancing the field of pre-clinical disease modelling, and drug safety evaluation. It focuses on incorporating the “best in biology” into cell based assays to create 2-D or 3-D (organoids) formats that deliver models that are better mimics of in vivo physiology.
The company has launched a validated assay for kidney transporter and nephrotoxicity measurement. Their development pipeline includes hiPSC based models of the human retina and skin with applications on drug safety assessment, pharmacokinetics and disease modelling.
FinSMEs
04/07/2018