Initiation of Collaborative Development of a Primary Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Model and Launch of Collaborative Marketing Activities with PhoenixBio Co., Ltd
February 19, 2026
SMC Laboratories, Inc. (“SMC”) today announced the initiation of a collaborative development project with PhoenixBio Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hiroshima, Japan; “PhoenixBio”) to establish a primary human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model and the launch of collaborative marketing activities leveraging the research infrastructure, disease models, and non-clinical services of the two companies.
Initiation of Collaborative Development of a Primary Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Model
This collaborative development aims to reproduce the liver carcinogenesis process established in the STAM™ mouse by leveraging human hepatocytes engrafted in PXB-mice.
The successful development of this model is expected to provide a highly valuable non-clinical research tool that more closely reflects the pathological characteristics of primary HCC.
SMC believes that this model will contribute to advancing the understanding of HCC pathogenesis, supporting the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches, and enhancing translational research in drug discovery.
Launch of Collaborative Marketing Activities
Building upon this collaborative development framework, the two companies will expand their cooperation to include coordinated marketing activities across existing research models and related non-clinical research services.
This collaborative marketing initiative does not involve capital participation or exclusive agreements, and each company will maintain full independence in its respective operations.
Under this strategy, the two companies will engage in marketing activities that clearly communicate the complementary value of their respective research platforms, disease models, and non‑clinical research services to researchers and drug discovery organizations.
Further updates on the progress of this development project and marketing activities will be shared as they become available.
About PhoenixBio
PhoenixBio possesses proprietary technology for generating PXB‑mice, in which human hepatocytes are engrafted and maintained with functional activities within experimental animals. These models have been widely utilized in non‑clinical research, particularly in studies involving human liver biology, drug metabolism, and disease evaluation.
PhoenixBio Co., Ltd: https://phoenixbio.co.jp
About PXB-mice: https://phoenixbio.co.jp/products/pxb-mouse.html
SMC Laboratories, Inc.: https://www.smccro-lab.com/
About STAM™ mouse: https://www.smccro-lab.com/modellineup/stam-model/
Services：https://www.smccro-lab.com/service/
Disease Model Lineup：https://www.smccro-lab.com/modellineup/