March 26, 2025

Case Study: LifeArc and VR: How Medical Researchers Are Supercharging Drug Design with Meta Quest

Using immersive 3D models to speed up molecule development and collaboration.

LifeArc, a leading UK-based medical research charity, is transforming how scientists design the next generation of therapeutics—using Meta Quest and Nanome VR to visualize and refine drug candidates in full 3D. With traditional tools falling short in conveying the spatial complexity of molecular interactions, VR is now a core part of LifeArc’s design process.

🎯 “VR might change not only how we conduct experiments—but the very nature of work itself.”
— Chido Mpamhanga, Former Principal Scientist, LifeArc

🧪 The Challenge: 2D Tools for a 3D Problem

Designing effective drugs requires understanding the precise 3D interaction between molecules and their protein targets. Yet, most chemists rely on:

Flat whiteboards and static 2D screens
Toy models that lack real data feedback
Complex equations only computational chemists can interpret

This leads to delays, miscommunication, and inefficient trial-and-error. LifeArc needed a solution that allowed all scientists to think in 3D, together and in real time.

🎧 Why LifeArc Chose Meta Quest

When remote work surged during the pandemic, LifeArc saw VR as the clear answer. They selected Meta Quest 2 for its:

🧠 Ease of use – Staff were comfortable building molecules after just 20 minutes
🚀 Processing power – Capable of rendering multiple proteins in one scene
🔌 Plug-and-play integration – Thanks to Nanome’s seamless API connection

“Nanome lets 10 people join and see what you see—literally standing in your shoes.”
— Timur Avkiran, Principal Scientist, LifeArc

🔬 The Solution: Designing in VR with Nanome

LifeArc launched VR trial sessions to get chemists comfortable with immersive tools. Soon, Nanome became part of the ideation process itself:

Scientists drew, rotated, and adjusted molecules in real time
VR presented data-powered feedback directly within the model
Collaboration accelerated: 5–10 chemists co-designed in each session

With VR, the conversation moved beyond theory into spatial, collaborative exploration—from London to Lithuania.

✅ Results That Matter

Since adopting Meta Quest + Nanome, LifeArc has:

✨ Empowered chemists to think and build in 3D
🌍 United remote teams across countries
📊 Improved access to real-time molecular data
💡 Developed more drug-like designs early in the process
🧪 Applied VR to at least five high-impact R&D projects, including:
- Protein degradation
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Cancer therapeutics

“It just feels great to see something you’ve worked on for two years floating in front of you, like you could reach out and grab it.”
— Timur Avkiran, LifeArc

💼 ISV Highlight: Nanome

Nanome is a cutting-edge VR platform for chemistry and drug design. Its intuitive UX makes collaborative molecule modeling accessible to both scientists and non-coders alike.