Introduction
Vivan Therapeutics is at the forefront of revolutionising cancer treatment with its innovative approach to personalised medicine. By utilising genetically modified fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) to model human cancer mutations, Vivan is testing thousands of drug combinations to determine the most effective therapies for each patient.
Vivan Therapeutics offers two primary products: the Personal Discovery Process (PDP) and a software, Tumatch. These tools aim to create highly individualised cancer treatments tailored to the genetic makeup of each patient’s tumour.
The Personal Discovery Process (PDP) transforms cancer treatment by conducting highly targeted research tailored to individual patients. This innovative approach mimics a large-scale clinical trial designed for just one person. By replicating the genetic intricacies of a patient’s tumour into a population of 500,000 fruit fly “avatars,” they can test up to 2,000 FDA and NICE-approved drugs, including therapies not traditionally used for cancer.
By analysing large datasets of tumour genetics, primarily colorectal cancer, the company has identified approximately 400 genetic signatures that represent real-world tumour configurations. Remarkably, around 130 of these signatures encompass nearly 80% of patient cases, enabling efficient modelling for personalised therapies.
This unprecedented method holds immense promise for tailored cancer treatments; however, the work depends on analysing hundreds of thousands of fly pupae – an essential but painstakingly manual task that demands accuracy and consistency.
Vivan reached out to Labman to develop a solution that would not only automate this process but also ensure the precision and scalability necessary for Vivan’s groundbreaking research. The system we designed and built takes over the manual task of sorting and analysing fly pupae, handling vials and capturing high-resolution images.
Changing the future of cancer treatment
By studying the genetic variations in fruit flies, Vivan is uncovering critical insights into how different patients respond to therapies. This work aims to ensure that cancer treatments are more effective and tailored to the individual needs of each patient.
Automation and AI working in harmony
While the Labman system automated the image capture of vials, Vivan Therapeutics faced the challenge of replacing their labour-intensive, unmanageable manual counting and analysis processes.
V7 specialise in computer vision and task automation. Their flagship product, Darwin, is an AI training and data labelling platform that enables the development of machine learning models for tasks requiring image analysis. Darwin allows users to label data, train models, and deploy them for inference seamlessly.
Andrea collaborated with V7 to leverage their Darwin platform, training an AI model capable of classifying and counting pupae with remarkable precision. Using high-resolution images captured by Labman’s system, the model accurately categorises pupae, eliminating the need for manual analysis. This automated solution delivers actionable data with an impressive accuracy rate exceeding 98%.
Small variations in lighting, resolution, or vial positioning can lead to misclassification. The system ensures that each vial is placed exactly in the same position every time, minimising the risk of errors.
A Partnership for progress
Automation has allowed Vivan to scale their operations, handling larger patient screens without additional human resources. Andrea estimates the system saved approximately 4.5 human workdays per patient—a significant gain for a process involving months of screenings.
The collaboration between Labman, Vivan, and V7 has set a new standard in how automation and AI can revolutionise scientific progress. Together, these teams have shown how technological innovation can accelerate research and bring us closer to personalised treatments that can save lives.
Investors have the chance to be part of a transformative company at the cutting edge of cancer research. As Vivan grows, they are actively seeking partners who share their vision for improving patient outcomes worldwide.
Vivan Therapeutics’ innovative services are now accessible to patients. Individuals can utilise these cutting-edge treatments through referrals from their oncologists or by reaching out to the company directly, especially for rare or hard-to-treat cancers. To provide clarity and ease any concerns, Vivan offers free consultations, where their personalised approach is thoroughly explained.
For Vivan, the future is bright—and with the continued support of investors, partners, and their dedicated team, they are poised to change the landscape of cancer care for years to come.