Novartis
How biologics are made
An in-depth video story about Technical Research & Development (TRD) at Novartis in Mengeš: from research and expert interviews to editing, animation and 3D modelling.
- Client
- Novartis
- Year
- 2024
Biologics are complex medicines in the form of protein molecules, produced in genetically modified cells. For Novartis, we created an in-depth video story about how its Technical Research & Development (TRD) unit in Mengeš develops them, from the cell line to a medicine ready for clinical trials.
We did it all ourselves: from research and the script to filming, editing, animation and 3D modelling.
- 9 minutes
- of in-depth video storytelling
- 5
- development steps explained with animation
- 2
- languages: Slovenian original with English subtitles
01The challenge: complex science, told clearly
Developing a biologic is a long, precise and highly specialised process. Novartis wanted to show what happens in Mengeš in a way the wider public can understand, while staying scientifically accurate for the researchers who live this process every day.
So we took a journalistic approach: first we researched the topic and talked to the experts, and only then did we write the story.
»We don't just make entertaining videos. We make demanding, expert communication.«
02Five steps of development
We built the story around the five key steps of development. The opening animation draws them in a circle; each step then gets its own chapter with a graphic intro, an explanation and conversations with the researchers who carry it out.
From cell to medicine
Cell lines are genetically modified to produce the desired therapeutic protein.
Cells from selected cell lines are multiplied and stored in vials. Each vial is the starting point for the production process later on.
Researchers find the optimal environment in which cells produce as much medicine of the right quality as possible.
In bioreactors they provide the right nutrients, oxygen and temperature so the cells grow and produce the desired biologic.
The biologic is isolated and purified so that it is safe and of high quality.
Purification is a series of chromatography steps that, among other things, ensure any viruses are removed.
Together with excipients, the medicine is developed into its final pharmaceutical form and filled into primary packaging.
In this form it is ready for clinical trials.
Advanced analytics is closely involved in every stage of development.
Modern analytical methods and high-tech, automated equipment monitor the quality, efficacy and safety of the medicine throughout development.
03From research to 3D animation
What we did
-
01
Research and concept
In-depth research of the topic, the creative concept and the video's visual identity.
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02
Interviews and script
Conversations with experts and a script that told complex science simply and accurately.
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03
Pre-production
From choosing the filming locations to all the technical preparations.
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04
Filming
Several days on the client's site: in-depth interviews and B-roll from the labs.
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05
Post-production
A content review of every interview, the story structure, editing, animation and 3D modelling.
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06
Subtitles
The video was filmed in Slovenian and translated, with English subtitles.
04One piece of research, several stories
Novartis uses the video story about biologics for both internal and external communication.
From the recorded interviews we also made short video portraits of employees at Novartis Mengeš, which HR uses in its job ads. One thorough piece of research became several stories for different purposes.
05Where this project sits in our matrix
We work across all of these layers, and any combination is possible.
- Who we work for
- Executive leadershipCorporate communicationsHRMarketingPublic sector
- Project scope
- Small brand story (e.g. a single video)Always-on communicationBig brand story (a full campaign)Leadership transformation
- Levels of work
- Strategy and creative developmentImplementationProduction
- What we improve
- ProcessesRelationshipsContent
- Approach
- StrategicDigital and AI-poweredCreativeAdvisory
- Duration
- Short-term (up to 3 months)Mid-term (3–12 months)Long-term (a year or more)
- What we create
- DocumentsPresentationsVisual identitiesDesignWebsitesSocial mediaCopywritingPhotographyVideo storiesAnimationsPodcastsEventsWorkshops