SAN DIEGO, Aug. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- NueCell Bio, a newly established cell therapy science and development services company that utilizes proprietary modular translational development solutions focused on advancing modern cell therapies from scientific discovery through clinical readiness, today announced its launch as a specialist partner uniquely positioned to advance and accelerate cell-based treatments to patients.
NueCell Bio is led by a team possessing unprecedented experience in the advanced therapies market. The team's industry-leading expertise in supporting customers developing novel cell therapies positions NueCell Bio to offer customizable modular technologies to engineer cells and develop scalable, GMP-ready manufacturing processes and analytics for a wide range of cell therapies. NueCell Bio works across a broad spectrum of groundbreaking science in this field, including CAR-T, stem cells, iPSC-derived therapies, gene-edited cells, and tissue repair platforms – supporting both autologous and allogeneic products.
NueCell Bio is headquartered in the Sorrento Valley area of San Diego – a leading hub for biotechnology and advanced therapy development – in a 26,300 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that specializes in translational services for cell therapy.
"Advanced therapies, including cell therapies, are expanding rapidly across the United States, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and emerging biotechnology markets," said Michael Wourms, Chief Executive Officer of NueCell Bio. "The industry does not suffer from a shortage of scientific breakthroughs, it suffers from a difficulty in efficiently converting these breakthroughs into therapies that can be evaluated, manufactured, and ultimately delivered to patients. That translational phase is where NueCell Bio is focused. By combining NueCell's flexible and modular translational development solutions with scientific expertise, analytical capabilities, and a proven track record, we believe we are uniquely positioned to help innovators advance the next generation of cellular therapies for cancer, immune-mediated diseases, tissue repair and regeneration, and other areas of significant unmet medical need."
"NueCell Bio is distinctively positioned to advance cell therapies from early discovery through clinical development," said Dr. Uma Lakshmipathy, Co-founder and Chief Science Officer. "Cell therapies have been proven to work and are commercially available, but manufacturing them at scale is still slow and expensive, largely because each therapy is biologically unique. The most promising therapies often face the greatest development complexity. Every program follows a different path, and the scientific, analytical, and development challenges that create risk for one company may be very different for another. Our role is to understand where each program is today, identify what is needed to move it forward, and apply the right expertise and resources at the appropriate time to help accelerate its path towards clinical readiness. By combining modular technology stacks of scientific, analytical, process development, and manufacturing-enabling capabilities, NueCell Bio is uniquely positioned to help innovators navigate critical development challenges and advance promising therapies more efficiently to reach patients faster."
Renowned University of Pennsylvania Professor, Dr. Bruce Levine, a member of NueCell Bio's Scientific Advisory Board, said, "The ecosystem of advanced therapies I have been part of for many years is moving rapidly and NueCell Bio helps meet the demand by supporting the development of life-altering and life-saving treatments that were previously only a distant hope in many challenging areas of medicine. To reach more patients, the future of cell therapy lies in expanding beyond oncology towards additional broad indications, while still addressing low-incidence diseases. To support this goal, the incorporation of precision engineering, efficient manufacturing processes and advanced analytics is essential."
"The ability to genetically engineer cells to have the characteristics to treat specific diseases is key, but another very important aspect is successfully advancing these programs from lab research into a GMP manufacturing process that is capable of consistently delivering cells in sufficient quantities and with required characteristics and viability," said Dr. Gabor Veres, a member of NueCell Bio's Scientific Advisory Board. "With the expertise of our team and state-of-the-art capabilities, NueCell Bio is well positioned to support customers by developing reliable, consistent and scalable processes suited to clinical manufacturing and future commercialization."
Addressing the acquisition and the future, Dr. Richard Snyder, Chair of the Board and Co-founder of NueCell Bio, said, "I am incredibly excited by how this business brings together such an extraordinary caliber of leaders in the field, along with the team and assets transitioning to NueCell Bio. Beyond this, our team's significant industry networks are an equally strong factor in establishing NueCell as a highly differentiated cell therapy services business positioned to address the needs of current and future customers."
In connection with the transaction, Kineticos Life Sciences served as exclusive advisor to NueCell Bio, with Goodwin Procter LLP serving as legal counsel.
About NueCell Bio
NueCell Bio is a San Diego-based company that works with academic institutions, biotechnology companies and pharmaceutical companies to advance cell therapies from concept and early research into clinical development. Our team brings deep expertise in biology, cell engineering, bioprocessing, and advanced technology integration, supported by modular technology stacks that can be tailored to each program.
NueCell Bio gives clients access to experienced design, development and CMC expertise. By combining scientific excellence, strong quality systems, scalable operations, and 'customer-first' engagement, NueCell Bio helps accelerate the journey from scientific discovery to clinical delivery. For more information, visit www.NueCellBio.com
Media contact:
Connor Halverson
Tel: +1 212 366 4455
Email: connor@thatsnice.com
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NueCell Bio Announces its Launch as a New Translational Partner for Cell Therapies with Unique Expertise to Accelerate Treatments from Discovery into GMP Manufacturing
HONG KONG, Aug. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) has achieved a landmark milestone at the prestigious 2026 R&D 100 Awards, widely regarded as the "Oscars of Innovation". ASTRI secured six finalist technologies, making it the highest-represented organisation in Asia and the leading non-US organisation among the 2026 R&D finalists. Of these six finalist technologies, three were selected as R&D 100 Award winners, earning places among the world's 100 most technologically significant innovations of the year.
Ir Dr Ted Suen, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, said: "We are deeply honoured to be recognised by the R&D 100 Awards. Having six technologies shortlisted as finalists and seeing three of them selected as winners is a strong testament to ASTRI's research excellence and innovation capabilities. These achievements reflect the dedication of our researchers and partners in developing technologies that address real-world industry and societal challenges while creating economic and social values."
"ASTRI will continue to strengthen collaboration among government, industry, academia and the research ecosystem, accelerate the commercialisation of research outcomes, and contribute to Hong Kong's development as an international innovation and technology hub. We also support the national 15th Five-Year Plan by advancing strategic technologies in areas such as AI, microelectronics, new energy and green technologies, helping to foster new quality productive forces and contribute to the country's high-quality development," he added.
Six Technologies Recognised by the 2026 R&D 100 Awards
ASTRI's six recognised technologies span advanced surveillance, sustainability, healthcare, advanced materials and next-generation manufacturing.
R&D100 Award Winners
| Category | Technology |
| Mechanical/Materials | DyeMate-SC Waterless dyeing is becoming increasingly important amid water scarcity and tightening regulations on microplastics. While supercritical CO₂ dyeing works for synthetic fibres, natural fibres remain incompatible with the process. DyeMate-SC overcomes this barrier, enabling supercritical CO₂ dyeing of natural fibres with performance comparable to conventional water dyeing while reducing resource consumption and environmental impact. |
| Mechanical/Materials | EcoFlux: EcoCarbon-infused Natural Graphite Anode Co-applicant: Graphex Innovation and Technology Limited EcoFlux Anode redefines spherical natural graphite through hard carbon infilling and a fast-ion coating developed using an eco-friendly aqueous process. This innovation delivers less than 5% anode swelling, charging capability in under 20 minutes, enhanced reversible capacity and nearly double the cycle life, offering a cost-effective, high-performance solution for long-life and high-energy battery applications. |
| Process/Prototyping: | CarbonTrust Co-applicant: Yau Lee Group CarbonTrust addresses key challenges through purpose-built technical solutions that combine blockchain immutability, AI Anomaly Detection and Cross-registry Intelligence in a unified platform. The platform integrates three mutually reinforcing innovations into a single subscription-accessible service, making trusted, automated carbon verification commercially viable for the first time at urban scale. |
Category
Technology
Mechanical/Materials
DyeMate-SC
Waterless dyeing is becoming increasingly important amid water scarcity and tightening regulations on microplastics. While supercritical CO₂ dyeing works for synthetic fibres, natural fibres remain incompatible with the process. DyeMate-SC overcomes this barrier, enabling supercritical CO₂ dyeing of natural fibres with performance comparable to conventional water dyeing while reducing resource consumption and environmental impact.
Mechanical/Materials
EcoFlux: EcoCarbon-infused Natural Graphite Anode
Co-applicant: Graphex Innovation and Technology Limited
EcoFlux Anode redefines spherical natural graphite through hard carbon infilling and a fast-ion coating developed using an eco-friendly aqueous process. This innovation delivers less than 5% anode swelling, charging capability in under 20 minutes, enhanced reversible capacity and nearly double the cycle life, offering a cost-effective, high-performance solution for long-life and high-energy battery applications.
Process/Prototyping:
CarbonTrust
Co-applicant: Yau Lee Group
CarbonTrust addresses key challenges through purpose-built technical solutions that combine blockchain immutability, AI Anomaly Detection and Cross-registry Intelligence in a unified platform. The platform integrates three mutually reinforcing innovations into a single subscription-accessible service, making trusted, automated carbon verification commercially viable for the first time at urban scale.
R&D100 Award Finalists
| Category | Technology |
| Electrical - Safety and Security | Multispectral Imaging for Advanced Surveillance Operations The Omniguard multispectral imaging system delivers superior haze penetration, exceptional contrast and outstanding signal clarity. By harnessing short-wave infrared (SWIR) technology operating at wavelengths of 900-1700nm, the system cuts through atmospheric scattering far more effectively than visible-light cameras, enabling reliable long-range detection even in foggy or smoky conditions. |
| Mechanical/Materials | Biocide-Free Bacteria-Repellent Nanofiber Breathing System Filters Co-applicant: Well Lead Medical Co., Ltd. The bacteria-repellent nanofiber filter provides enhanced protection by controlling bioburden in breathing circuits. Its non-biocidal zwitterionic polymer hydration layer repels over 95% of bacteria without chemical leaching or superbug development. Robust physical filtration achieves over 99.999% bacterial and viral filtration and over 98.5% particle efficiency, consistently outperforming conventional electrostatic filters, whose effectiveness decline over time. |
| Process/Prototyping | 100% Closed-loop Post-consumer Recycled Plastic Sheets for Cargo Industry Co-applicant: Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) The 100% closed-loop recycled plastic sheets are made from post-consumer polyethylene cargo sheet waste. Through an innovative recycling process, advanced formulation and a three-layer film structure, the recycled materials achieve the high melt strength required for large-sheet film blowing without the use of virgin resin, while meeting cargo operational requirements and promoting waste reduction and circular sustainability. |
Category
Technology
Electrical - Safety and Security
Multispectral Imaging for Advanced Surveillance Operations
The Omniguard multispectral imaging system delivers superior haze penetration, exceptional contrast and outstanding signal clarity. By harnessing short-wave infrared (SWIR) technology operating at wavelengths of 900-1700nm, the system cuts through atmospheric scattering far more effectively than visible-light cameras, enabling reliable long-range detection even in foggy or smoky conditions.
Mechanical/Materials
Biocide-Free Bacteria-Repellent Nanofiber Breathing System Filters
Co-applicant: Well Lead Medical Co., Ltd.
The bacteria-repellent nanofiber filter provides enhanced protection by controlling bioburden in breathing circuits. Its non-biocidal zwitterionic polymer hydration layer repels over 95% of bacteria without chemical leaching or superbug development. Robust physical filtration achieves over 99.999% bacterial and viral filtration and over 98.5% particle efficiency, consistently outperforming conventional electrostatic filters, whose effectiveness decline over time.
Process/Prototyping
100% Closed-loop Post-consumer Recycled Plastic Sheets for Cargo Industry
Co-applicant: Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl)
The 100% closed-loop recycled plastic sheets are made from post-consumer polyethylene cargo sheet waste. Through an innovative recycling process, advanced formulation and a three-layer film structure, the recycled materials achieve the high melt strength required for large-sheet film blowing without the use of virgin resin, while meeting cargo operational requirements and promoting waste reduction and circular sustainability.
Organised by internationally renowned publication R&D World, the R&D 100 Awards honour the world's 100 most-technologically significant innovations from around the globe each year. Entries are evaluated by an independent panel of industry experts, making the awards among the most respected and competitive recognitions in global research and development. ASTRI's success highlights both the institute's research excellence and Hong Kong's growing influence in the international innovation landscape.
About ASTRI
Founded in 2000 by the HKSAR Government, Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) is the city's largest government-funded R&D centre. Committed to transforming high-impact research into practical innovations, ASTRI drives market-driven, interdisciplinary advancements across sectors, including Smart City, FinTech, Digital Health and Life Sciences, New Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) and Advanced Electronics, New Energy and Energy Storage, and Green and ESG Technologies. Following its merger with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute, ASTRI has further strengthened its capabilities, with over 1,500 patents and 2,200 successful cases of technology transfer. Recognised with numerous international awards, ASTRI continues to nurture top I&T talent and foster collaborations among the I&T ecosystem, contributing to Hong Kong's high-value economic development. For more information, please visit: https://www.astri.org
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ASTRI Achieves Strongest Representation in Asia at 2026 R&D 100 Awards, with Three Technologies Named Global Winners
