PHC Corporation’s biomedical division honoured with R&D 100 Award for live cell analyser
PHC Corporation’s biomedical division has received a 2025 R&D 100 Award for LiCellMo, a live cell metabolic pathway analyser that provides continuous real-time monitoring of glucose and lactate levels in cell cultures. The device addresses critical needs in cell and gene therapy research by enabling non-invasive assessment of cellular metabolic states.
The Tokyo-based company announced that its innovative LiCellMo system has been recognised amongst the 100 most significant technological developments of the past year by R&D World magazine. The award acknowledges the device’s contribution to improving reproducibility and quality control in cell culture applications, particularly for cell and gene therapy manufacturing processes.
LiCellMo integrates seamlessly into existing CO2 incubators without disrupting culture environments, offering researchers minute-by-minute monitoring capabilities. Unlike conventional sampling methods that risk contamination and may miss critical cellular transitions, the system employs proprietary in-line monitoring technology originally developed for blood glucose sensors by PHC Corporation’s In-Vitro Diagnostics Division.
Clinical applications show promising scope
The device launched for research use in Japan in September 2024, expanding to the United States, UK, EU, China, and other Asian markets in October 2024. Research applications span cancer immunology and stem cell studies, where accurate assessment of cellular metabolic states proves essential for therapeutic development.
Chikara Takauo, Director of PHC Corporation and Head of the Biomedical Division, said: “We are deeply honoured that LiCellMo has been recognised with an R&D 100 Award. This innovation empowers researchers with new insights into cell metabolism, particularly in cancer immunology and stem cell research, and supports the advancement of manufacturing processes for next generation therapies.”
Technology addresses manufacturing challenges
The system continuously monitors key cellular metabolic pathways, providing researchers with unprecedented visibility into dynamic changes in cell states. This capability supports more informed decision-making in therapeutic development whilst addressing reproducibility concerns that have historically challenged cell culture protocols.
