VivoSim Expands Asia-Pacific Access to NAMKind™ Human-Based Toxicology Services Through New Distributor Agreement in Korea and China

Rhea-AI Summary

VivoSim Labs (Nasdaq: VIVS) appointed JCBio in Korea and Tekon Biotech in China as authorized distributors for its NAMKind™ human-based liver and small-intestine toxicology services, expanding Asia-Pacific commercial access.

The services target faster, human-relevant screening with a targeted 30-day turnaround per compound and address rising regional demand for New Approach Methodologies.

Positive

• Authorized distributors in Korea and China expand VivoSim commercial presence across Asia-Pacific
• NAMKind™ offers a targeted 30-day turnaround per compound for faster decision-making
• Tekon Biotech partnership aligns VivoSim with China’s growing in-vitro toxicology market projected to reach $2.26B by 2030

Negative

• The announcement discloses no commercial terms, contract values, or revenue guidance tied to the distributor agreements

News Market Reaction

-1.73% 389.9x vol

42 alerts

-1.73% News Effect

+195.6% Peak in 7 hr 39 min

-$84K Valuation Impact

$5M Market Cap

389.9x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, VIVS declined 1.73%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +195.6% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 42 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $84K from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $5M at that time. Trading volume was exceptionally heavy at 389.9x the daily average, suggesting significant selling pressure.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

China in-vitro tox market 2023: $1.05 billion China in-vitro tox market 2030: $2.26 billion DILI incidence China: 23.80 per 100,000 people +5 more

8 metrics

China in-vitro tox market 2023 $1.05 billion China in-vitro toxicology testing market size in 2023

China in-vitro tox market 2030 $2.26 billion Projected China in-vitro toxicology testing market by 2030

DILI incidence China 23.80 per 100,000 people Estimated Drug-Induced Liver Injury incidence in China

Turnaround time 30-day Targeted NAMkind™ toxicology turnaround time per compound or study

Quarterly net loss $2.545 million Net loss, Q2 FY2026 ended Sep 30, 2025

Quarterly revenue $28,000 Royalty revenue, Q2 FY2026

Cash and equivalents $6.677 million Cash and cash equivalents as of Sep 30, 2025

Net cash used operations $6.318 million Net cash used in operating activities over six months

Market Reality Check

Price: $2.92 Vol: Volume 21,516 is 0.59x th...

low vol

$2.92 Last Close

Volume Volume 21,516 is 0.59x the 20-day average of 36,696, suggesting muted trading ahead of this news. low

Technical Shares at $1.73 trade below the 200-day MA of $2.20 and are 67.36% below the 52-week high of $5.30, though still 22.7% above the 52-week low of $1.41.

Peers on Argus

VIVS fell 3.89% while peers showed mixed, mostly modest moves (e.g., CYCCP down ...

VIVS fell 3.89% while peers showed mixed, mostly modest moves (e.g., CYCCP down 5.61%, MTNB down 1.45%, EPIX up 0.6%). No broad, same-direction sector move is evident.

Historical Context

2 past events · Latest: Jan 06 (Positive)

Pattern 2 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 06	Executive appointment	Positive	+4.6%	CSO appointment to lead scientific strategy across NAMkind toxicology platform.
Aug 14	Executive appointment	Positive	-3.2%	CCO appointment to scale AI-enabled NAMkind liver and intestine services.

Pattern Detected

Limited history shows mixed price reactions to positive executive appointment news, with one gain and one decline.

Recent Company History

Over the past several months, VivoSim focused on strengthening leadership around its NAMkind™ platform. On Aug 14, 2025, the company appointed a Chief Commercial Officer to scale AI-enabled liver and intestine toxicology services, but shares fell 3.23% the next day. On Jan 6, 2026, appointment of a Chief Scientific Officer with roughly three decades of experience saw shares rise 4.62%. Today’s Asia-Pacific distributor agreements extend the same NAMkind™ commercial strategy into Korea and China.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement expands NAMkind™ human-based toxicology services into Korea and China via distribu...

Analysis

This announcement expands NAMkind™ human-based toxicology services into Korea and China via distributors JCBio and Tekon Biotech, targeting a China in‑vitro toxicology market projected at $2.26 billion by 2030. It builds on prior efforts to professionalize commercial and scientific leadership. However, recent filings show continued net losses of $2.545 million on revenue of $28,000 and tight liquidity, so execution, cash usage, and uptake of these Asia-Pacific partnerships remain key metrics to monitor.

Key Terms

new approach methodologies (nams), toxicology, in-vitro, drug-induced liver injury (dili), +4 more

8 terms

new approach methodologies (nams) medical

"a provider of next-generation New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for preclinical safety"

New approach methodologies (NAMs) are modern testing tools and strategies—such as computer models, advanced cell-based assays, and lab-grown tissues—that replace or supplement traditional animal tests to evaluate safety, toxicity, and biological activity of drugs, chemicals and products. For investors, NAMs can shorten development timelines, lower testing costs, and reduce regulatory uncertainty, much like switching from slow manual inspection to faster automated quality checks in a factory.

toxicology medical

"NAMKind™ toxicology services in liver and small intestine"

Toxicology is the science that studies how chemicals, drugs or other substances can harm people, animals or the environment and determines what exposure levels are safe. For investors, toxicology results act like a safety checklist: they influence whether a product can get regulatory approval, be sold without restrictions, or face recalls and legal risks—factors that can materially affect a company’s prospects and stock value.

in-vitro medical

"China's in-vitro toxicology testing market is projected to grow significantly"

In-vitro means a laboratory test or experiment done outside a living organism, typically in a test tube, petri dish, or similar container. For investors, in-vitro results are early-stage evidence that a compound or process can work under controlled lab conditions; they can spark interest and influence valuation but carry higher uncertainty because success in a dish does not guarantee safety or effectiveness in people.

drug-induced liver injury (dili) medical

"With Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI) incidence in China estimated at 23.80 per 100,000"

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is liver damage caused by a medication, vaccine, supplement, or chemical that disrupts the liver’s normal filtering and processing functions—think of the liver as the body’s filter that becomes clogged or harmed by a product. It matters to investors because DILI can trigger clinical trial pauses, regulatory warnings, label changes, expensive monitoring, or market value swings for companies developing or selling the implicated product.

antibody-drug conjugates (adcs) medical

"predict toxicity for complex modalities like Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs)"

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are advanced medicines that combine a targeted antibody with a powerful drug, acting like a guided missile to deliver treatment directly to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. This precision approach can improve effectiveness and reduce side effects, making ADCs a promising area of biotech innovation. For investors, advancements in ADC technology can signal potential growth opportunities in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.

traditional chinese medicine (tcm) medical

"specific compounds found in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)"

A centuries‑old system of health care that uses herbs, acupuncture, dietary guidance and physical therapies based on the idea of restoring a person’s balance of energy and bodily functions. For investors it matters because products and services labeled as TCM move through regulatory approval, supply chains and consumer markets differently than conventional drugs; changes in safety data, insurance coverage or export rules can quickly affect sales, costs and company value.

preclinical medical

"New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for preclinical safety"

Preclinical describes the stage of drug or medical-product development when researchers test a candidate in the lab and in animals to see if it is safe, reaches intended targets, and shows basic effectiveness before any human trials begin. For investors, preclinical status signals an early, higher‑risk opportunity where positive lab results can increase value but significant work, time, and regulatory hurdles remain — like proofing a prototype in a workshop before road testing.

in-vitro toxicology testing medical

"China's in-vitro toxicology testing market is projected to grow significantly"

In‑vitro toxicology testing is laboratory safety testing that checks whether a drug, chemical or product harms cells or tissues grown outside the body rather than testing in whole animals or people. For investors it signals an early, lower‑cost step that helps identify safety problems, de‑risk development and satisfy regulators—similar to crash‑testing parts on a test bench before building the full vehicle.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

JCBio appointed for Korea; Tekon Biotech appointed for China provide access to liver and small-intestine NAM screening with “molecules in, data out” speed and human relevance

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VivoSim Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIVS) (the “Company” or “VivoSim Labs”), a provider of next-generation New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for preclinical safety, today announced it has signed JCBio as an authorized distributor in Korea and Tekon Biotech as an authorized distributor in China for its NAMKind™ toxicology services in liver and small intestine. The appointments expand VivoSim’s commercial presence across Asia-Pacific, which potentially provides faster access to human-relevant toxicology services for pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations facing growing pressure to de-risk programs earlier and accelerate timelines.

A market inflection point: global demand for New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) is accelerating

Across the industry, the demand for human-relevant, fit-for-purpose toxicology is rising sharply as drug developers seek earlier readouts, clearer translation to clinical outcomes, and meaningful reductions in late-stage attrition. VivoSim’s NAMKind™ services are designed to meet that demand with a simple, scalable model: “molecules in, data out”—supporting small molecules, biologics, and advanced modalities—and delivering actionable results with a targeted 30-day turnaround time per compound.

Korea’s regulatory direction aligns with U.S. FDA momentum on NAM adoption

Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS)—often referred to as “Korea’s FDA”—has been moving in step with broader international momentum, including the U.S. FDA, toward the evaluation and acceptance of scientifically robust NAM-based evidence where it improves decision-making. This alignment is aimed at accelerating adoption of new techniques that emphasize performance, predictivity, and relevance to human outcomes—especially in high-impact organs like liver and gastrointestinal tissues.

Tekon Biotech brings strong reach into China’s pharma and local biotech ecosystem

Tekon Biotech is a leading provider of advanced life science solutions. This collaboration aims to introduce Vivosim’s proprietary NAMkind™ liver and intestinal predictive platforms to the Greater China market, addressing a critical need for more accurate preclinical safety data in one of the world's most dynamic drug discovery landscapes.

The distribution agreement comes at a pivotal time for the region. China's in-vitro toxicology testing market is projected to grow significantly, from approximately $1.05 billion in 2023 to $2.26 billion by 2030, driven by increasing R&D investment and evolving regulatory standards.¹ This alliance positions Tekon Biotech to capture this growing demand by delivering Vivosim’s high-accuracy screening services - capable of detecting toxicities often missed by animal models - to a rapidly expanding customer base.

Sanger Chang, President of Tekon Biotech, highlighted the strategic importance of this technology for the region’s evolving pharmaceutical industry.

“The pharmaceutical industry in China is currently undergoing a massive transformation, pivoting aggressively from generic manufacturing to ‘First-in-Class’ source innovation, said Sanger Chang. “However, this shift brings higher stakes. Our clients are increasingly concerned about late-stage clinical failures, particularly regarding liver safety. With Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI) incidence in China estimated at 23.80 per 100,000 people^2,3 - significantly higher than in Western populations - there is an urgent demand for better predictive tools.”

Sanger Chang continued, emphasizing the specific technological advantages Vivosim brings to the local market:

“Traditional animal models have historically struggled to predict toxicity for complex modalities like Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) or specific compounds found in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which are unique pillars of our local market. Vivosim’s NAMkind™ platform offers the 'Final Pass Pre-IND' assurance our clients need. By integrating these regulatory-aligned, human-cell-based models, we can help Chinese innovators de-risk their pipelines early, ensuring that only the safest, most promising candidates advance to clinical trials.”

JCBio expands adoption in Korea with local expertise and scientific engagement

In Korea, JCBio will support regional customers in deploying NAMKind™ liver and small intestine services by providing local coordination and scientific engagement to streamline evaluations—from project scoping and sample logistics to data review and program iteration.

Designed to save time, reduce risk, and cut costs—at scale

NAMKind™ is engineered for efficient program execution and faster “go/no-go” decisions. By delivering human-based screening insights earlier—particularly around liver and GI liabilities—customers may avoid costly downstream failures, reduce rework, and prioritize the right assets with greater confidence. The result is a modern approach to toxicology that has the potential to save customers millions by identifying risk earlier and focusing investment where it has the highest probability of success.

“Global demand for human-relevant toxicology is shooting up, and the industry needs solutions that deliver real-world impact right now,” said Tony Lialin, Chief Commercial Officer at VivoSim.

“NAMKind™ makes it practical—small or large molecules in, decision-ready data out—with a targeted 30-day turnaround time per study. By partnering with JCBio and Tekon, we’re making this capability accessible across Asia-Pacific at the pace the market is demanding, which may help teams reduce risk earlier, move faster, and ultimately save millions by screening with human biology at the center.”

Availability and next steps

With distribution agreements with JCBio and Tekon Biotech in place, NAMKind™ liver and small intestine toxicology services are now available via local distributor engagement across Korea and China, with VivoSim continuing to scale capacity to support expanding global demand and urgent, real-world development needs.

About VivoSim Labs

VivoSim Labs, Inc. ("VivoSim" and the “Company”), is a pharmaceutical and biotechnology services company that is focused on providing testing of drugs and drug candidates in three-dimensional (“3D”) human tissue models of liver and intestine. The Company offers partners liver and intestinal toxicology insights using its new approach methodologies ("NAM") models. The Company anticipates accelerated adoption of human tissue models following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA") announcement on April 10, 2025 to refine animal testing requirements in favor of these non-animal NAM methods. VivoSim Labs operates from San Diego, CA. Visit www.vivosim.ai.

About JCBio

JCBio is a Korea-based life science distributor supporting research and development organizations with scientific products, services, and local expertise.

About Tekon Biotech (www.tekonbiotech.cn)

Tekon Biotech is a premier distributor of cutting-edge life science technologies in China and Taiwan. Committed to bridging the gap between global innovation and local research needs, Tekon provides comprehensive solutions for drug discovery and development. The company serves a diverse and extensive client base that includes domestic and international pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies of all sizes, as well as major universities and leading scientific research institutions across the region.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations but are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding NAMKind™, including target turnaround time and its potential to help users de-risk their pipelines, avoid costly downstream failures, reduce rework, prioritize the right assets, move faster, save millions and reduce risk; VivoSim’s commercial presence across Asia-Pacific; the evaluation and acceptance of scientifically robust NAM-based evidence; the Company’s ability to capture growing demand in the in-vitro toxicology testing market; demand for human-relevant toxicology; the market opportunity and market size of gastrointestinal in-vitro models and toxicology services; and the Company’s scaling capacity to support expanding global demand and development needs. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and actual actions or events could differ materially from those contained in such statements. These risks and uncertainties and other factors are identified and described in more detail in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on June 5, 2025, as such risk factors are updated in its most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 6, 2025. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they were made. These cautionary statements should be considered with any written or oral forward-looking statements that the Company may issue in the future. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to reflect actual results, later events, or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. 

Contact(s):
Investor Relations
info@vivosim.ai
VivoSim Labs, Inc.

JCBio
Contact: Jae Chan Yoo
jc@jcbio.co.kr | Phone: 02-568-7320

Tekon Biotech
Contact: Sanger Chang, President
Email: sanger@tekon.net | Phone: (021)5860 5185

References

1. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/in-vitro-toxicology-testing-market/china?utm

2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30742832/

3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11297843/?utm

FAQ

What did VivoSim (VIVS) announce about distribution in Korea and China on January 29, 2026?

VivoSim announced appointed distributors JCBio in Korea and Tekon Biotech in China to sell NAMKind™ services. According to the company, these agreements expand Asia-Pacific access to human-cell-based liver and small-intestine toxicology screening.

How fast are VivoSim’s NAMKind™ toxicology services for VIVS and what does that mean for drug developers?

NAMKind™ targets a 30-day turnaround per compound for decision-ready data. According to the company, this speed aims to accelerate go/no-go choices and reduce late-stage program risk by providing earlier human-relevant safety readouts.

Will VivoSim’s (VIVS) China partnership address local drug-safety challenges and market demand?

The Tekon Biotech alliance targets Greater China’s growing need for better preclinical safety data. According to the company, the partnership positions NAMKind™ to serve a market projected to reach $2.26 billion by 2030.

Which organs do VivoSim’s NAMKind™ services cover through the new VIVS distributor agreements?

The agreements cover human-based liver and small-intestine toxicology screening. According to the company, these platforms focus on high-impact organs where translational prediction to clinical outcomes is critical.

Did VivoSim (VIVS) disclose financial terms or expected revenue from the JCBio and Tekon Biotech agreements?

No, the announcement does not disclose contract values or revenue guidance for the distributor deals. According to the company, the focus of the release was on commercial expansion and availability of services.