October 9, 2026
CMIC Pharma Science Co., Ltd.
CMIC Pharma Science, Dai Nippon Printing and NEXEL Establish
Joint Venture “TriNebula Cell Tech”
– Accelerating the Global Expansion of Products for Animal-Alternative Testing –
CMIC Pharma Science Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture; President & CEO: Takahiro Natsume; hereinafter “CMIC Pharma Science”), a group company of CMIC HOLDINGS Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Executive Officer: Keiko Oishi), Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Yoshinari Kitajima; hereinafter “DNP”), and NEXEL Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Seoul, Republic of Korea; CEO: Han Choong-seong; hereinafter “NEXEL”) hereby announce that they have established TriNebula Cell Tech Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “TriNebula”), a joint venture company, today, October 9, 2026.
TriNebula aims to establish a global, one-brand manufacturing and sales framework for NEXEL’s portfolio of products in the field of animal-alternative testing, including products related to iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes.
- Background to the Establishment of TriNebula
In recent years, growing interest in animal welfare, together with developments in regulations and guidelines in countries around the world, has rapidly increased attention to testing methods that replace animal experiments, known as animal-alternative methods, in fields including drug discovery, cosmetics and chemicals.
The three companies have collaborated under their respective strategic partnerships. Anticipating further growth in the market for animal-alternative testing, including applications involving iPS cells, they established TriNebula to create a more integrated and sustainable structure for advancing the business.
- Principal Business Activities
- Identifying market and customer needs, communicating information, and promoting sales of human iPSC-derived cardiomyocyte products
- Proposing products to pharmaceutical companies, chemical and cosmetics manufacturers, contract research organizations (CROs), universities, research institutions and other organizations
- Providing the three companies with feedback on evaluations and needs obtained from pharmaceutical companies and research institutions to which products have been proposed
- Planning new products and services by combining the technologies, manufacturing capabilities and evaluation functions of the three companies
- Monitoring regulatory developments in countries worldwide relating to alternatives to animal testing
- Overview of the Joint Venture
| Company name | TriNebula Cell Tech Co., Ltd. |
| Head office | 1-1-1 Ichigaya-Kagacho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan |
| Representative | Yoichi Kajimura, Representative Director and President |
| Business activities | Marketing and sales promotion relating to iPS cell-related products, and related activities |
| Capital | JPY 50 million |
| Date established | October 9, 2026 |
- Future Development
By combining NEXEL’s research and development capabilities, DNP’s manufacturing, quality and business infrastructure, and CMIC Pharma Science’s expertise in evaluation and commercialization, TriNebula will seek to enhance product competitiveness, reinforce a stable supply framework and strengthen its ability to expand in global markets.
■ About Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP)
Head Office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Yoshinari Kitajima
DNP is focusing on developing new businesses in the medical and healthcare fields by leveraging proprietary strengths in Printing & Information (P&I) cultivated over many years. In the drug discovery support field, in 2017, through joint research with the National Center for Child Health and Development, DNP became the first in the world to successfully create miniature intestinal organs in vitro. These “mini-intestines” are three-dimensional organoids derived from human embryonic stem (ES) cells that possess human intestinal functions, such as peristalsis-like movement and absorption and secretion capabilities. DNP is also developing microphysiological systems (MPS) for use in exploratory screening during new drug development and as alternatives to animal experiments in non-clinical studies.
■ About NEXEL Co., Ltd. (NEXEL)
Head Office: Seoul, Republic of Korea; CEO: Han Choong-seong
NEXEL is a biotechnology company that provides human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cells and organoids, together with drug discovery evaluation platforms using these products. Its offerings include cardiac, hepatic and neural products, such as Cardiosight®-S, Hepatosight®-S and Neurosight®-S, organoid products, and services including safety evaluation and customized CDMO services that support New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) as alternatives to animal testing.
https://www.nexel.co.kr/jp/main
■ About CMIC Pharma Science Co., Ltd.
As a non-clinical CRO, CMIC Pharma Science provides solutions across the entire product lifecycle in non-clinical fields, from the research and development stage through the commercial stage for pharmaceuticals, medical devices and other products. Its services include preclinical research, bioanalysis, CMC quality analysis, integrated analysis and measurement of biopharmaceuticals across these areas, consulting and medical writing. Through close collaboration with CMIC Group companies, it provides full-range support for customers’ value chains, from product development and manufacturing to sales and marketing, across Japan, the United States, Europe and Asia.
■ About CMIC Group
CMIC launched Japan’s first contract research organization (CRO) business in 1992 and today provides comprehensive support services for pharmaceuticals, spanning development, manufacturing, sales and marketing. CMIC also supports overseas pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies entering the Japanese market, conducting clinical trials in Asia, and developing and manufacturing pharmaceuticals in the United States and Japan. In addition, CMIC provides innovative healthcare solutions for individuals and local governments. Building on its extensive experience and proven track record in fully supporting pharmaceutical companies’ value chains, CMIC is pursuing its PHVC (Personal Health Value Creator) business model to maximize health value for each individual. CMIC Group has more than 7,000 employees and 26 group companies worldwide. For more information, please visit the website below.
Media Contact:
Corporate Communications,
CMIC HOLDINGS Co., Ltd.
E-mail: pr@cmic.co.jp
