Axol Bioscience has bought the eye research part of Newcells Biotech. This deal helps Axol offer more types of lab-grown eye cells and strengthens its role in studying eye diseases before they reach patients. The news was shared on February 18, 2026, in Cambridge and Newcastle. Axol now has a specialist team, labs, and special knowledge about eye research. These tools, developed over ten years, include advanced 3D eye models and flat layers of eye cells. These models help in developing and testing new medicines. This move follows Axol’s earlier expansion into eye research after buying Phenocell in October 2024. More companies are investing in research for conditions like age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and rare eye diseases. Axol says this addition makes it a leading provider of lab-grown eye models for drug discovery, gene therapy, and safety testing. Recently, Axol raised $2.8 million to expand in the US, develop new products, and increase manufacturing. Liam Taylor, CEO of Axol, said: ‘After our recent funding and growth, we are scaling up internationally and improving our science. Adding Newcells’ eye models is our third buy in five years. It greatly improves our eye research tools, combining expertise and knowledge to offer the most complete set of lab-grown eye models globally.’ Florian Regent, Head of Ophthalmology at Axol, explained: ‘Newcells has developed advanced and scalable eye models. Combining this with Axol’s existing tools gives us a broader, more relevant set of research tools. As drug developers need better human models, this deal puts Axol at the forefront of eye research and safety testing.’