VR Training brings Advances to Biopharma and Healthcare

Innovate UK is funding UK immersive technology company FourPlus and collaborators Holosphere and the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult to create and test  a customisable platform that leverages mixed reality and multi-player capabilities. The £1 million investment awarded via the Digitalisation and Automation of Medicines Research and Development and Manufacture competition will support development of the digital and automated training platform specifically for a number of manufacturing roles within cell and gene therapy, biopharmaceutical and wider life science sectors, including those at hospital sites. It will support initial training of staff, validation and the creation of digital training records. Additionally, the grant will facilitate the integration of data analytics tools, providing valuable insights for training and competency assessment purposes.

To be delivered by FourPlus over 18 months, a first release of the platform is expected to be available to the market for demonstration by the end of 2023. Providing standardisation of core training tools to build consistency into workforce skills, this solution also significantly reduces waste streams by minimising the need for single-use consumables in physical lab training, thereby making a positive environmental impact.

FourPlus CEO, Dr Ivan Wall, said: “We are really excited to be starting this innovative project with Holosphere and Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult. We already know that VR is a powerful way to support training of new sector employees, as it reduces cost, time, facility use and waste production. This project will deliver the next generation solution,  that integrates mixed reality, training customisation, multi-user interactivity, data analytics and training support features. We will integrate best-in-class networked co-localisation technology, designed by project partners Holosphere, and Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult will support through testing with sector apprentices.”

Holosphere’s Technical Director Sean Duffy said: “Mixed reality and passthrough technologies are now ready to enable high quality shared immersive experiences and enhance communication between users. Holosphere are delighted to be working with Four Plus and CGTC to apply this to their next generation of training tools.”

Matthew Durdy, Chief Executive of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult said: “To feed the expected growth of the cell and gene therapy industry we need to employ innovation in every area. FourPlus’ innovative use of virtual and mixed reality is a great example of new technology meeting need. We look forward to working with FourPlus, Holosphere and our apprentice community to test this platform.”

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