How Automation And AI Can Accelerate Clinical Research And Outbreak Response

Battelle is revolutionizing infectious disease research through AI-driven automation and organ-on-a-chip technology. Traditional clinical trials are slow and labor-intensive, delaying critical vaccine and therapy development. By integrating machine learning with high-throughput imaging, Battelle accelerates visually-read assays, improving accuracy and scalability while maintaining gold-standard efficacy testing.

A key application of this innovation is in Mpox research. The gold-standard plaque reduction neutralization assay, crucial for evaluating vaccines and antivirals, traditionally requires manual plaque counting—a slow, error-prone process. AI-driven automation streamlines this by rapidly identifying and quantifying plaques, reducing human error and accelerating data processing. This success is paving the way for similar applications in Zika, alphaviruses, and other infectious diseases, allowing researchers to scale testing without sacrificing accuracy.

Beyond AI-enhanced assays, Battelle is pioneering organ-on-a-chip technology, which replicates human organ functions on micro-engineered devices. This innovation improves disease modeling, drug testing, and reduces reliance on animal models. A current BARDA-funded project is developing a human alveolus-on-a-chip model to study respiratory viruses like influenza and SARS-CoV-2, offering more accurate insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic efficacy.

As global health threats evolve, so must research methods. Battelle is at the forefront of AI and automation advancements, ensuring clinical trials remain fast, cost-effective, and scientifically rigorous. By embracing cutting-edge technology, the industry can accelerate discoveries, reduce costs, and improve global health outcomes.