Pharma video production: easy-to-follow 3D visualization on cancer immunotherapy

Innowise partnered with a renowned pharmaceutical company to create a high-quality 3D visualization explaining how T-cells and PD-L1 inhibitors work.

Customer

Industry

Healthcare

Region

Client since

2024

Our client is a major pharmacological group that manufactures generic and ethical medications, focusing primarily on oncology treatment and diabetic care.

Detailed information about the client cannot be disclosed under the provisions of the NDA.

Challenge

Pharmacological company wanted a 3D product video on cancer therapy and PD-L1 inhibitors

Many pharmaceutical products require detailed explanations to be fully understood by diverse audiences, including patients, healthcare providers, and potential investors. Our client, a large pharmaceutical organization, wanted to communicate effectively the intricate mechanisms of targeted cancer immunotherapy and PD-L1 inhibitors, a class of drugs that help the immune system identify and fight tumor cells.

Rather than lengthy, text-heavy descriptions that fail to capture the dynamic nature of the therapy, they commissioned Innowise to make a comprehensive 3D visualization. Through an informative 3D product animation video, healthcare providers and patients could visually comprehend the entire mechanism of how T-cells and PD-L1 inhibitors interact to fight tumors. This visual approach would simplify the scientific content, making it more accessible to a broader audience. Beyond that, 3D visualization would allow the client to potentially increase sales of PD-L1 inhibitors and attract investors.

The client has chosen Innowise since our company has extensive expertise in the healthcare domain, including VOKA.IO, the world’s first complete 3D catalog of normal anatomy and human pathologies.

Solution

Pharma video production to explain cancer immunotherapy and PD-L1 inhibitors

Innowise designed an upscale 3D video on how the immune system recognizes and combats tumors, explaining the principles of PD-L1 inhibitors simultaneously.

Immune response explanation

This video explains how the immune system detects and attacks malignant cells. Tumor cells display molecules called antigens on their surface, mutated or expressed at unusually high levels, enabling the immune system to distinguish them from normal cells.

Immune T-cells are equipped with specialized molecules known as T-cell receptors (TCRs) on their surface, specific to a particular antigen, much like a lock and key. When a T-cell circulates through the body and comes into contact with a cell displaying its specific antigen, the TCR binds to the antigen.

Before T-cells can recognize these antigens, they must be presented by another type of cell called an antigen-presenting cell (APC). An APC, like a dendritic cell, ingests and processes tumor antigens, and then binds fragments of these antigens to a major histocompatibility complex (MHC).

When a TCR successfully binds to the antigen-MHC complex on the APC, the T-cell becomes activated. Thereafter, T-cells undergo clonal expansion, rapidly dividing to produce many copies of themselves. Activated T-cells then travel throughout the body, seeking out and binding to tumor cells that display the antigen they recognize. Upon binding, they kill the malignant cells directly, releasing cytotoxic molecules and inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death).

PD-L1 inhibitors

Unfortunately, cancer cells, remarkably adaptable, have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to evade the immune system and T-cell attacks. The video explains further how some tumor cells express PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1). It sends an inhibitory signal to the T-cells, effectively “turning them off” and reducing their ability to proliferate, produce cytokines, and kill cancer cells. Essentially, this interaction tricks the T-cells into treating the cancer cells as normal, non-threatening parts of the body.

The video introduces PD-L1 inhibitors, a drug class that specifically blocks the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1. With blocked inhibitory signals, T-cells can regain their full capacity to activate, proliferate, and effectively attack cancer cells. This restoration allows the immune system to recognize and respond to tumors like any other pathogenic threat. Once reactivated, the T-cells can induce apoptosis, a process crucial for eliminating cancer cells from the body.

3D visualization

Initially, Innowise consulted with a pharmacologist to write a medically accurate script for the 3D animation video production, explaining the immune processes and the role of PD-L1 inhibitors. Based on that, our 3D designers created high-quality animation, visualizing the narrative and ensuring a seamless information flow.

We used the VOKA anatomical atlas for the first episode to create detailed anatomical models of muscles, bones, and lungs. Our specialists modeled the PD-1 and PD-L1 molecular structures from scratch to cover the components outside the VOKA atlas, such as immune cells, cancer cells, and their molecular structures. Once the static models were ready, they animated these structures to depict the dynamic processes of immune response and inhibitor mechanisms. Further, our 3D designers rendered the animated sequences to produce lifelike and engaging visuals.

Finally, our motion designer compiled the rendered animations, adjusted the pacing, and integrated all the visual elements into a cohesive video, adding voice-overs, background music, and educational text overlays to enhance the learning experience.

Technologies

3D design

Maya, Blender, ZBrush, Substance Painter

Motion design

After Effects

Process

We initiated our project by consulting with a pharmacologist to draft a detailed script explaining the immune processes and the role of PD-L1 inhibitors. Once the storyboard was approved, our 3D artists and motion designers developed accurate models of T-cells, cancer cells, receptors, and inhibitors, animating these models to understand complex interactions better.

For the project management, we followed a Scrum methodology with rapid scope alterations, allowing us to refine animations and interactive components iteratively. Our designers conducted regular updates and consultations during daily sessions with the customer, communicating via Google Chat. We used JIRA for task tracking, ensuring all team members aligned with the project milestones.

The video is currently available on YouTube for anyone interested in advanced cancer treatments.

Team

Project Manager

3D Designers

Motion Designer

Results

High-quality 3D video production to boost sales and attract investors

For the renowned pharmaceutical company, Innowise created a comprehensive 3D video on targeted cancer immunotherapy and the role of PD-L1 inhibitors in combating malignant cells. In this educational animation, healthcare professionals, patients, and healthcare enthusiasts can learn about the nuances of melanoma, breast, and lung cancer treatments.

This project underscored the potential of 3D technology in transforming medical education and patient care. In the future, the client may significantly increase PD-L1 inhibitors sales and attract investments due to greater product awareness.

Project duration

April 2024 - May 2024

easy-to-grasp animation for both clinicians and non-medics

high-quality 3D video to boost sales and attract investors

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Pharma video production: easy-to-follow 3D visualization on cancer immunotherapy

Customer

Challenge

Pharmacological company wanted a 3D product video on cancer therapy and PD-L1 inhibitors

Solution