Axio BioPharma and Shimadzu team up on AI-guided media optimization

Axio BioPharma and Shimadzu announced a collaboration to test an AI- and data-guided workflow for cell culture media optimization in biologics development. The work will run in Madison, Wisconsin, and is aimed at improving antibody expression and speeding development decisions.

Why it matters: - Cell culture media optimization is a major bottleneck in biologics development because teams must balance productivity, timelines and lab resources across many variables. - The collaboration is designed to connect computational guidance with real-world lab execution, which could reduce trial-and-error work in antibody expression workflows. - Axio BioPharma also expands its lab capabilities into expression and media optimization as part of a broader strategy to link data systems with physical biomanufacturing.

What happened: - Axio BioPharma announced a collaboration with Shimadzu Corporation to advance AI-guided cell culture media optimization for biologics development. - The companies will combine Shimadzu’s CellTune Ver.2 software and Media Blending Kit with Axio BioPharma’s laboratory capabilities in Madison, Wisconsin. - The collaboration focuses on optimizing antibody expression.

The details: - Shimadzu’s CellTune Ver.2 uses statistical analysis and artificial intelligence to identify parameters for optimization and propose conditions for experimental evaluation. - The Media Blending Kit supports preparation of defined combinations of supplements and base media for lab testing. - Axio BioPharma will run media optimization studies at its Madison lab. - The workflow is designed to test, evaluate and refine proposed culture conditions in the laboratory. - The companies will use the collaboration as a proof of concept to evaluate how computationally guided design and high-throughput lab execution can be combined. - Justin Byers, founder and CEO of Axio BioPharma, said media optimization has strong potential to improve expression processes, but the experimental burden can make it hard to prioritize within development timelines. - Byers said Shimadzu contributes culture-condition design and refinement capabilities, while Axio provides laboratory infrastructure and data generation for the next iteration. - Toru Ezure, business unit director at Shimadzu, said the partnership combines Axio’s bioproduction technologies with Shimadzu’s media analysis and optimization expertise. - Ezure said Axio is a key partner as Shimadzu expands these technologies into biopharmaceutical development. - Ezure said the PoC aims to improve development efficiency and accelerate practical solutions that create value for society. - Axio Forge is Axio BioPharma’s U.S.-based high-throughput biologics laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin. - Axio Forge supports rapid experimentation and research-grade monoclonal antibody production on a three- to five-week turnaround. - Axio Lattice is Axio BioPharma’s coordination and translation layer for making scientific and manufacturing data comparable across systems and organizations without centralized data pooling or changes in data ownership. - Shimadzu was founded in Kyoto, Japan, in 1875 and develops analytical and measuring instruments, medical systems and other technologies for healthcare, life science research and industrial innovation.

Between the lines: - The deal reflects growing interest in using AI to narrow the search space in wet-lab optimization, rather than replacing experimentation altogether. - The partnership also positions Axio BioPharma as more than a lab operator, with a role in linking data infrastructure to biomanufacturing workflows. - For Shimadzu, the collaboration gives the company a route to show how its optimization tools work in a biopharmaceutical development setting.

What's next: - The companies plan to complete the initial work and share results separately after evaluation. - The collaboration could set up broader use of the integrated workflow if the proof of concept shows improved efficiency. - Axio BioPharma said more information is available on Axio BioPharma's website and LinkedIn.