Precision Cell Systems Makes a Bold Move with BennuBio Acquisition to Tackle 3D Cell Culture
Precision Cell Systems Acquires BennuBio: A Game-Changer in 3D Cell Culture
In a strategic move that positions Precision Cell Systems (PCS) as a key player in the rapidly expanding 3D cell culture market, the company has announced its acquisition of BennuBio, a renowned life science firm based in New Mexico. The deal comes at a time when the global market for 3D cell culture solutions is projected to grow significantly, with estimates from Grand View Research indicating a growth from over $1.7 billion to more than $3.2 billion by 2030.
What This Acquisition Means
The acquisition integrates BennuBio’s flagship technology, the Velocyt™ imaging flow cytometer, into PCS's growing portfolio. This advanced platform allows for high-throughput analysis of complex 3D multicellular models, including spheroids, organoids, and stem cell aggregates. This capability addresses a crucial need within biological research, where existing analytical tools have often fallen short in dealing with the complexities associated with 3D cell models.
Anup Parikh, CEO of Precision Cell Systems, expressed his enthusiasm regarding the acquisition, stating, “The next wave of therapies will rely on complex 3D cell models, but analytical tools have lagged behind. BennuBio’s technology enables researchers to analyze intact samples rapidly while ensuring they can be recovered for further use. This positions PCS to seamlessly connect intricate 3D cell models with insightful single-cell analysis.”
Advancements in Research Methodologies
The Velocyt technology has already garnered acclaim from prominent figures in the scientific community, including Dr. Rita Serda from the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Serda noted that the Velocyt system allows for unprecedented analysis of nanoparticle uptake and immune cell interactions in cancerous spheroids, significantly enhancing the understanding of complex tumor biology. “In mere minutes, we can evaluate vast numbers of multicellular clusters while maintaining their integrity for subsequent experiments,” she noted.
John O’Rourke, the former CEO of BennuBio and now part of the PCS team, is excited about the collaboration, asserting that joining forces with PCS provides the necessary operational scale and integration to maximize the potential of their technology.
Strengthening Financial Foundations
The acquisition also strengthens PCS's financial position, bringing Tramway Ventures, BennuBio’s main investor, into the mix. Tramway's Managing Partner, Wanetta Tuttle, emphasized the potential of BennuBio’s technology in addressing vital challenges in 3D biology and expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration with PCS to facilitate scaling their innovations.
This acquisition marks PCS's third major move in 2025, following the acquisitions of S2 Genomics and ORFLO, signaling a robust execution of their consolidation strategy. PCS continues to actively pursue additional acquisitions targeting technologies that can enhance sample preparation, functional assays, and molecular analyses, all aimed at developing a comprehensive cell analysis workflow.
The Future of 3D Cell Culture
As PCS continues to evolve, the focus remains on innovating and providing tools that facilitate advanced research capabilities in the realms of cell therapy and drug discovery. With the integration of BennuBio’s Velocyt platform, PCS is poised to lead the charge in transforming how researchers analyze and understand complex biological systems, paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in treatment methodologies.
In conclusion, this acquisition not only highlights PCS's commitment to growth but also emphasizes the importance of investing in technologies that can foster significant improvements in healthcare research and development. Expect to see more impactful collaborations and innovations from Precision Cell Systems as they redefine the landscape of cell analysis and biological research.