Revolutionizing cancer research with high-precision lab automation

Labman is revolutionizing accuracy, scalability, and efficiency in cancer research by integrating robotics and AI for precision image analysis.

Image Credit: Labman

Challenge

In Vivan Therapeutics’ laboratory, scientists were spending hours manually analyzing fly pupae - tiny organisms that hold critical data for cancer drug testing. Each vial of pupae required precise counting and categorization based on both shape and developmental stage.

Solution

To address this challenge, Labman engineered a sophisticated custom automation platform by integrating advanced robotics with precision imaging. The system manages vials of fly pupae, ensuring precise positioning for accurate image capture.

Results

The novel system analyzes large volumes of pupae with precision and consistency, allowing researchers to dedicate more time to strategic tasks. This innovation has revolutionized Vivan’s ability to scale its operations while preserving the accuracy and reliability essential to life-saving study.

The technology demonstrated a 98 % accuracy rate in classifying and counting fly pupae, saving 4.5 days of manual counting per patient.

Introduction

Vivan Therapeutics is a pioneer in cancer treatment innovation through its novel approach to personalized medicine. By using genetically modified fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) to model human cancer mutations, Vivan tests thousands of drug combinations to identify the most effective therapies for individual patients.

Vivan Therapeutics offers two main products: the Personal Discovery Process (PDP) and Tumatch software. Both systems aim to develop highly individualized cancer treatments tailored to the genetic makeup of each patient’s tumor.

The Personal Discovery Process (PDP) revolutionizes cancer treatment by carrying out highly targeted research tailored to individual patients. This cutting-edge approach is akin to a large-scale clinical trial developed for just a single person.

By replicating the genetic intricacies of a patient’s tumor into a population of 500,000 fruit fly ‘avatars’, as many as 2,000 FDA and NICE-approved drugs can be tested, including those not traditionally prescribed for cancer treatment.

Through analysis of large datasets of tumor genetics, primarily focused on colorectal cancer, Vivan has identified around 400 genetic signatures representing real-world tumor configurations. Notably, approximately 130 of these signatures account for almost 80% of patient cases, enabling efficient modeling for personalized therapies.

While this novel approach holds tremendous potential for customized cancer treatments, the work depends on analyzing hundreds of thousands of fly pupae, a necessary but demanding manual task requiring precision and consistency.

There were only three of us working on this at the beginning, and it was incredibly time-consuming. We had to manually count and score pupae, entering data into individual Excel sheets. It was tiring and you make mistakes. We thought, there must be a better way.

Andrea Chai, PhD, VP Compliance & Lab Automation, Vivan Therapeutics

Image Credit: Labman

Vivan partnered with Labman to design an automation system that ensures the accuracy and scalability required for Vivan’s cutting-edge research. This system automates the task of sorting and analyzing fly pupae, handling vials, and capturing high-resolution images.

Changing the future of cancer treatment

By examining genetic variations in fruit flies, Vivan uncovers crucial insights into how different patients respond to therapies. This work aims to ensure that cancer treatments are more effective and tailored to each patient’s individual needs.

We know that the fruit flies respond to the same drugs that we do. So, you can treat the fly with the same drug that we take and they're going to respond.

Nahuel Villegas, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Vivan Therapeutics

Image Credit: Labman

The first cancer type that we're focused on is gastrointestinal, colorectal, pancreatic cancer. And so, we've already started seeding the data set for lung and we'll keep moving to more cancer types as we can. 

Laura Towart, Chief Executive Officer, Vivan Therapeutics

Automation and AI working in harmony

While Labman’s platform automated the image capture of vials, Vivan Therapeutics required a solution to replace its labor-intensive, unmanageable manual counting and analysis processes.

V7 specializes in computer vision and task automation. Its flagship product, Darwin, is an AI training and data labeling platform that allows the development of machine learning models for tasks requiring image analysis. Darwin enables data labeling as well as model training and deployment for seamless inference.

Working in collaboration with V7, Andrea leveraged their Darwin platform to train an AI model capable of classifying and counting pupae with exceptional accuracy. Utilizing high-resolution images captured by Labman’s system, the model accurately categorizes pupae, removing the need for manual analysis and delivering actionable data with over 98 % accuracy.

We trained the model with around 1,000 images initially, achieving an accuracy rate in the high 80s to 90s, so we thought, OK, we could go to the full project.

Andrea Chai, PhD, VP Compliance & Lab Automation, Vivan Therapeutics

Subtle variations in lighting, resolution, or vial positioning can result in misclassification. The system guarantees each vial is positioned exactly in the same position every time to reduce error risk.

Image Credit: Labman

The equipment that Labman produced is so precise and it is so consistent with the training data that we that we had originally. 

James Hudson, Head of Customer Experience, V7

A partnership for progress

Automation has enabled Vivan to expand its operations, handling larger patient screens without additional human resources. Andrea estimates that the system saved roughly 4.5 workdays per patient, a substantial gain for a process that previously required months of manual screening.

The collaboration between Labman, Vivan, and V7 exemplifies how automation and artificial intelligence can transform scientific advancement. This partnership demonstrates how technological innovation accelerates research, bringing the medical world closer to personalized, life-saving treatments.

I have to say, the experience of working with Labman from the conception phase, user requirements and design to the full build has been a very easy process and I feel very supported by the engineers and the support staff.

Andrea Chai, PhD, VP Compliance & Lab Automation, Vivan Therapeutics

Investors have the opportunity to be part of a groundbreaking enterprise at the forefront of cancer research. As Vivan continues to grow, the company is actively seeking partners that share its vision of improving patient outcomes on a global scale.

Vivan Therapeutics’ cutting-edge services are currently available to patients. Individuals can use these innovative treatments through oncologist referrals or by contacting the company directly, especially for rare or treatment-resistant cancers. To provide clarity and reassurance, Vivan offers free consultations to explain its personalized approach in detail.

For Vivan, the future is bright. With the ongoing support of investors, partners, and its dedicated team, the company is poised to transform the landscape of cancer treatment for years to come.

Image Credit: Labman

About Labman

Labman is a global leader in creating custom automated laboratory technologies, products, and software that empower and advance scientific discovery. We collaborate across diverse industries, including medical, pharmaceutical, agritech, paints and coatings, and FMCG, to deliver innovative solutions. From our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, Labman’s multi-disciplinary teams design, build, and support systems used worldwide, enabling groundbreaking science in leading laboratories every day.

Video Credit: Labman 

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