SBIR Phase II, Technology Enhancement for Commercial Partnerships (TECP)

Abstract

ViQi’s AVIA™ platform, initially developed as a viral infectivity assay, uses AI-based image analysis to automate the creation of quantitative cell-based assays. This technology enables rapid assay development for any cellular phenotype, even in live, unstained cells imaged via brightfield microscopy, as long as appropriate control phenotypes are provided. AVIA’s objective analysis requires no manual parameter adjustments, making it highly attractive for High Content Screening (HCS) and phenotypic profiling to predict mechanisms of action (MOA).

To meet this demand, ViQi developed AutoHCS™, a patent-pending platform that automates assay creation and delivers detailed reports comparing compound effects, clustering phenotypic profiles, and predicting MOA. AutoHCS accelerates assay development, enables objective analysis, and allows for the discovery of novel phenotypes. A demonstration at the 2023 SLAS Conference generated strong interest, with Dewpoint Therapeutics identified as a key partner for exploring commercialization. Dewpoint, a leader in biomolecular condensate-driven drug discovery, brings expertise across diverse therapeutic areas, supported by collaborations with Bayer, Merck, and Pfizer.