LifeCare has acquired Ocean TuniCell AS, a Norwegian developer of nanocellulose scaffolding for regenerative medicine, for an undisclosed amount. The transaction transfers full ownership of Ocean TuniCell to LifeCare, which will integrate the target’s technology into its broader tissue engineering operations.
Ocean TuniCell specializes in a highly pure nanocellulose material extracted from a low-trophic marine resource harvested in fjords on Norway’s west coast. This scaffolding is designed to support induced pluripotent stem cells as they differentiate into functional tissues, a process central to future reconstructive medicine. LifeCare focuses on extending human healthspan through advances in stem cell research, bioreactors, and material sciences, aiming to enable partial or full reconstruction of patient tissues and organs.
The acquisition gives LifeCare direct control over a critical input for its pipeline: a biocompatible, sustainable scaffold that cells need to thrive and function. Rather than licensing or sourcing the material externally, LifeCare now owns the production and purification process, which could reduce supply chain risk and allow for tighter quality control as clinical applications advance. For Ocean TuniCell, joining LifeCare provides access to larger research and development infrastructure and a clearer path toward clinical translation.
The deal is purely an acquisition; no funding round or investment stake is involved. Ocean TuniCell’s technology becomes a wholly owned asset of LifeCare, which will manage its further development and potential commercialization.
With the integration underway, the combined entity is positioned to move from material development toward preclinical and clinical testing of scaffold-based tissue reconstruction. The immediate focus will likely be on scaling production of the nanocellulose and validating its performance across different cell types, with the long-term goal of bringing regenerative therapies closer to bedside application.