Lumi & CatSci to revolutionise medicines manufacturing and reduce time-to-market with Innovate UK-backed advanced approach for lab data capture & processing

Laboratory work is notoriously difficult to replicate due to individual and environmental-based changes in processes, conditions, observations, measurements and the fact that everything is recorded based on a subjective memory. Existing solutions like electronic lab notebooks, laboratory information management systems (LIMS) have to rely on human subjectivity in data capture, unable to fully mitigate errors and misinterpretation. That’s why Reach Industries, developers of Visual Lab Intelligence Platform Lumi, are collaborating with Wales-based CatSci Ltd, an award-winning innovation partner for medicines development.

Project overviewAt its core, Lumi uses visual data from modular cameras and AI-powered technology to easily capture, analyse and contextualise operational information that otherwise would require human intelligence. In this project, we are moving a step forward to develop a system for scale-up labs to monitor oligonucleotide production and accurately track critical steps in medicines manufacturing, where subtle process changes could result in significant material and time loss. By scanning and modelling workspaces in 3D, and enhancing object recognition from various angles, we aim to create a complete tracking system for objects in typical workspaces. The system will also be able to: 

Identify even seemingly trivial differences in processes, such as the time a mixture is stirred, or the rate of the stirring, to maintain data consistency and gain insights into key process parameters. Help resolve issues during scale-up or transfer activities, identifying potentially subtle differences between repeated experiments which result in large inconsistencies. Integrate monitoring data with quality control systems to allow contract manufacturers to provide audit-quality data to stakeholders. Enable medicine developers to produce clear & robust SOPs faster & ensure seamless knowledge transfer.Lumi represents a ‘lab-of-the future’ technology. The object tracking capability effectively creates a digital twin of any objects used in development or manufacture. LabEye cameras capture information that would otherwise be lost, creating an extra dimension to digital processes and supporting data-driven approaches to manufacturing and biomanufacturing. 

Accelerating oligonucleotide productionProject partner CatSci are keen to apply Lumi to oligonucleotide production. This is a multi-stage process: nucleotides oligomers are built using solid-supported phosphoramidite chemistry, with activation, addition and washing stages, followed by multiple purification processes. Each stage introduces potential variation for these building blocks of new medicines, used in vaccines, gene therapy and cancer therapeutics. Errors at any stage could cause hundreds of thousands pounds worth of waste, with commensurate carbon emissions in the longer term. Robust processes are therefore key. 

Success in this project will represent a productivity boost of up to 40% for CatSci, especially in the oligonucleotide manufacturing pathway. In the longer term, we expect that Lumi users can demonstrate reduced waste from both manufacturing and scale-up processes; a significant advancement in Net Zero and sustainability. By reducing time in scale-up, it will reduce time-to-market for new products, and increase patient access to medicines. 

This project is backed by Innovate UK funding as part of the Innovate UK Transforming Medicines Manufacturing programme. Innovate UK is creating a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations, and we’re proud to share this mission. 

To learn more about Lumi, visit our website. For any enquiries, please connect via [email protected]