Accelerating Biotech Innovation: How Firefinch provides secure, scalable software for biotech products
The journey from groundbreaking scientific innovation to a market ready product is complex, particularly in the fast-paced biotechnology sector.
Firefinch Software offer key support to biotech companies and those developing medical devices by providing specialised software development services. Setting Firefinch apart is their life science domain expertise – including 6 staff with scientific PhDs (not standard in software development!). By focusing on expert-led development, iterative delivery, and a deep understanding of scientific workflows, Firefinch help biotech firms navigate complex development cycles, reduce costly errors, and ultimately, bring their products to market more efficiently.
One of Firefinch's key strengths lies in their ability to translate intricate scientific needs into user-friendly, robust software solutions. This is exemplified in their collaboration with Northern Light Microscopy (NLM), a Strathclyde University spinout. NLM aimed to develop an Advanced Modular Imaging System (AMIS), a sophisticated piece of technology requiring seamless integration of hardware and software. Firefinch partnered with the in house NLM product development team to provide a minimal viable product (MVP) for AMIS.
Firefinch's contribution to NLM’s project focused around several critical components:
User-Friendly Desktop Application: Firefinch engineered an intuitive Windows desktop application that simplified complex imaging processes, making the system accessible to a broader range of users, not just highly specialised technicians. This focus on usability was a key consideration for NLM when encouraging market adoption.
Hardware Abstraction Layer: To manage the intricacies of the imaging hardware, Firefinch developed a hardware abstraction layer. This crucial component allows for cleaner separation between the software and the underlying hardware, facilitating future updates and maintenance. This creates a robust package which can be amended as the device develops or scales without the need to build new components from scratch.
Simulated Instrument: A significant innovation was the creation of a simulated instrument. This allowed for testing and development to proceed independently of the physical hardware. This decoupling dramatically accelerated the hardware/software co-development process, a common bottleneck in complex instrument development.
There were some key benefits of the partnership that NLM identified and that positively impacted the product development timeline and quality. These include:
On-Time, In-Scope MVP Delivery: Firefinch successfully delivered the MVP as planned, ensuring that NLM could move forward with its development roadmap without delays.
Streamlined and Intuitive User Interface: The emphasis on user experience empowered non-specialists to operate the AMIS effectively, broadening its potential user base and market appeal.
Accelerated Hardware-Software Co-Development: The simulated testing environment provided by Firefinch significantly reduced the time and resources needed to bring the hardware and software components into alignment.
Firefinch's methodology is underpinned by a foundation of scientific insight, usability, iterative delivery, and close collaboration with partners. This approach ensures that the software developed is not only technically sound but also aligned with the unique goals and market demands of their life sciences clients. By partnering with Firefinch, companies like NLM can confidently move towards beta trials, subsequent product iterations, and the end goal of achieving sustainable commercial growth.
Firefinch are proud to support the biotech sector in Scotland and across the UK. If you would like to discuss a potential partnership then please get in touch through the IBioIC app, meet us at the conference (exhibition stand 5) or email Isabel at isabel.vincent@firefinch.io.