Pioneering progress: How RASTRUM Allegro is redefining 3D cell culture

Pioneering progress: How RASTRUM Allegro is redefining 3D cell culture

Advancing disease research and drug discovery presents complex challenges for scientists. The demand for breakthrough 3D cell culture systems that combine scalability and reproducibility is growing rapidly. Scientists face significant hurdles—from limited cell supplies, especially with precious patient-derived samples, to the need for scalable, consistent models that can yield meaningful insights. These challenges inspired the development of RASTRUM™ Allegro, a solution designed to empower researchers to push their science further.

Listening to researchers: The spark behind RASTRUM Allegro

"Scientists know what they need to advance their work," says Julio Ribeiro, PhD, CEO of Inventia Life Sciences. "We are here to provide the tools that empower their innovation. Researchers have been clear: they need faster, more consistent solutions for 3D cell culture—tools that not only deliver the throughput required to advance their research but also ensure reproducibility and precision, even when working with precious patient-derived samples."

"These insights helped shape the development of RASTRUM Allegro. Researchers require an easy way to consistently and reliably increase 3D cell model production in their own lab to fuel discovery and gain new biological insights. A tool that can effectively increase access to 3D cell models even when working with patient-derived samples. RASTRUM Allegro was designed to meet those needs and more"  

Driving innovation: Aligning with Inventia’s mission

Julio explains how the vision for RASTRUM Allegro aligns with Inventia’s broader mission. "At Inventia, we are focused on empowering drug discovery and biomedical research by mimicking disease reproducibly and at scale outside the human body. RASTRUM Allegro is a key step toward this vision."

RASTRUM Allegro exemplifies this commitment by offering groundbreaking throughput and affordability. It enables researchers to create 3D cell culture assays at scale, unlocking opportunities for those in drug discovery, development, and translational research. By significantly reducing per-sample costs, RASTRUM Allegro makes advanced cell culture technology accessible to a wider range of labs, making it an everyday tool for creating 3D cell models.

A game-changer in 3D cell culture technology

RASTRUM Allegro combines speed, scalability, and precision to meet the demands of modern research. Researchers who have had the chance to work with the system describe how it transforms workflows by enabling them to produce 3D cell models efficiently and reliably. This level of throughput is critical for advancing drug discovery efforts, as it allows scientists to explore more variables and conduct experiments at a scale previously out of reach. Moreover, the system’s reproducibility ensures robust and reliable data, enabling researchers to trust the models they create.

Empowering researchers: From precious samples to scalable solutions

The impact of RASTRUM Allegro is far-reaching, unlocking new possibilities for researchers in academia and the pharmaceutical industry. Julio shares his excitement: "I see this as unlocking opportunities for those in drug discovery and development as well as translational research."

In translational research, for example, scientists are now better equipped to recreate patient-relevant phenotypes and work with limited quantities of cells from biopsies. By efficiently using precious samples, RASTRUM Allegro ensures that no cell goes to waste. Researchers working on drug discovery campaigns have also highlighted how the system allows them to scale their work across dozens of plates, dramatically accelerating their progress while maintaining the consistency needed for meaningful insights.

Delivering success: A commitment to researcher needs

At Inventia Life Science, our dedication to researchers extends far beyond delivering innovative tools like RASTRUM Allegro. We believe that the success of our customers is integral to our own. As Julio puts it, "Their success is our success. Every innovation we bring to the table is designed with their needs in mind."

From the outset, we built our organization to prioritize the needs of researchers. "We understand the challenges researchers face," Julio explains. "That’s why we’ve structured our team to provide comprehensive support—from technical specialists assisting with experimental planning to a customer success team dedicated to ensuring progress every step of the way."

Innovation also plays a central role in our commitment to support. "RASTRUM Allegro builds on the foundation of our current technology, which already simplifies and streamlines experimental design," Julio notes. "With a point-and-click approach to experimental design and execution, and an expansive library of matrix options available across our products, we’re giving researchers the tools they need to focus on discovery, not logistics."

Through this multifaceted approach, we aim to empower researchers not just with cutting-edge technology, but with the confidence and resources to achieve their goals. "When our customers succeed, science succeeds," Julio concludes. "And that’s what drives us every day at Inventia Life Science."

A personal milestone in innovation

For Julio, the development of RASTRUM Allegro represents more than just a technological achievement. It’s a deeply personal milestone. "Product development takes time, and it’s incredible to see this go from idea to impact," he reflects. "I’m so proud of all the teams involved in making this possible. For me, it was getting my first hands-on experience of the instrument—at just 6 mins for a 96-well plate, the speed was truly remarkable and exceeded all my expectations. I’m so excited about what this enables for researchers now."

Supporting drug screening applications

Cameron Ferris, PhD, COO at Inventia Life Science, emphasizes the importance of RASTRUM Allegro for drug screening applications. "Disease biology and drug development groups in biopharma are looking to leverage 3D cell models in screening campaigns for drug discovery and development," he explains.

Cameron highlights a critical shift in the field: "For years, researchers faced a trade-off between scalability and the biological complexity required for meaningful results. With RASTRUM Allegro, we are breaking through this barrier. The ability to truly scale 3D cell culture, while achieving reproducibility on par with 2D systems, is a game-changer. This milestone opens up new opportunities for research groups, allowing them to confidently explore treatment regimens and influence personalized medicine outcomes."

By making it easier to work with patient-derived samples and create models that reflect real disease phenotypes, RASTRUM Allegro is unlocking new frontiers in translational research. "We are at a pivotal point in the industry where researchers no longer have to choose between scale and complexity. This innovation empowers them to advance their work with confidence," Cameron remarks.

Looking to the future

RASTRUM Allegro is more than just a product; it’s a step toward transforming how we approach disease research and drug discovery. By enabling reproducible, scalable, and affordable 3D cell culture, it empowers researchers to accelerate their work and achieve deeper insights into complex biological systems.

Julio sums up the broader vision: "I’m on a mission to make 3D cell culture accessible to every lab. I understand what it unlocks in relation to helping us understand biology, disease, and therapeutic options."

Conclusion: From idea to impact

The launch of RASTRUM Allegro marks an exciting chapter for Inventia Life Sciences and the broader scientific community. It’s a testament to what can be achieved when innovation is driven by a deep understanding of researchers' needs and a bold vision for the future.

As Julio aptly puts it, "This is generational change that will transform human health. RASTRUM Allegro is just the beginning."

To learn more about how RASTRUM Allegro can accelerate your research, explore our App Note Scalability and reproducibility for high-throughput biological modeling in 3D cell culture or contact our team for a personalized consultation.