---
title: "Medical / Biotech | Vesalic Ltd | RD Research"
meta:
  author: "RD Research Limited"
  description: "RD Research designed and delivered Vesalic’s biotech database and analytics platform for ALS biomarker research, handling 200+ TB of scan data."
  "og:description": "RD Research designed and delivered Vesalic’s biotech database and analytics platform for ALS biomarker research, handling 200+ TB of scan data."
  "og:title": "Medical / Biotech | Vesalic Ltd"
  "twitter:description": "RD Research designed and delivered Vesalic’s biotech database and analytics platform for ALS biomarker research, handling 200+ TB of scan data."
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# Medical / Biotech | Vesalic Ltd

![Medical / Biotech | Vesalic Ltd](https://rdresearch.co.uk/images/case_studies/vesalic/hero.webp) ## The Challenge

Vesalic Ltd, a UK-based biotech company co-founded by Professor Valeria Ricotti, emerged from nearly three years of research in stealth mode with a bold focus: advancing understanding of motor neuron disease (ALS), with potential implications for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Vesalic’s announcement describes a systemic process, largely external to the brain and central nervous system, that may be a major contributor to motor neuron diseases. Translating that scientific insight into repeatable, traceable, research-grade workflows required more than storage — it required infrastructure.

The company needed a secure, scalable biotech database and analytics platform capable of:

- Handling more than 200 TB of imaging and scan datasets
- Maintaining full data lineage and traceability
- Supporting repeatable biomarker analysis workflows
- Enabling consistent reporting for clinical and scientific stakeholders
- Operating under strict confidentiality during a multi-year stealth phase

Off-the-shelf tools could not meet the requirements for structured ingestion, scientific traceability, audit history, and secure role-based separation between research and operational views.

Vesalic required a bespoke biomedical data platform built to research-grade standards

![About Vesalic](https://rdresearch.co.uk/images/case_studies/vesalic/example_1.jpg)

## Solution

RD Research designed and developed a bespoke biotech database and analytics platform tailored specifically to Vesalic’s scientific and operational model.

The system was engineered to support large-scale biomedical datasets, structured metadata management, automated biomarker tracking once target signatures are defined, and repeatable reporting workflows. It enables Vesalic to turn research discoveries into structured, traceable, and clinically useful outputs.

The platform was delivered in phases over approximately two years under strict confidentiality. It provides:

- Secure ingestion and validation of imaging data from hospitals and research centres across Europe
- Structured metadata architecture supporting scientific reproducibility
- Automated biomarker workflow support once targets are established
- Role-based access control with least-privilege permissions
- Full audit history for data and configuration changes
- Scalable storage patterns designed for 200+ TB and continued expansion

By combining research workflow design with enterprise-grade data engineering, the platform provides a consistent source of truth across teams.

![Letter of reference](https://rdresearch.co.uk/images/case_studies/vesalic/example_2.webp)

## What we built

### Core Data Platform

- Biomedical database architecture designed for neurodegenerative research
- Structured storage supporting 200+ TB of scan data
- Metadata tagging and data lineage tracking
- Secure ingestion pipelines with upload validation
- Cross-institution data cataloguing

### Analytics & Biomarker Workflow Support

- Automated biomarker tracking once target signatures are defined
- Analysis-ready exports for research teams
- Repeatable analysis patterns to support scientific validation

### Security & Governance

- Role-based access separating research, clinical and operational views
- Least-privilege permission controls
- Auditable change history
- Structured reporting for scientific oversight

## How we worked

The engagement began approximately two and a half years ago when Professor Valeria Ricotti approached RD Research to explore whether a research-grade data platform could be built to support Vesalic’s long-term scientific programme.

Max Durrant, RD Research’s Technical Manager, led a dedicated development team, working closely with Vesalic’s Senior Project Manager Pier and the scientific leadership team.

### Phase 1 – Specification

We delivered a comprehensive, evolving specification before any core build commenced:

- Documented workflows, screens, storage models, analytics requirements, reporting structures and integrations
- Defined security, compliance, audit and access controls
- Created a modular architecture roadmap to support scalability
- Updated the specification iteratively as scientific and operational needs matured

This specification-first approach ensured clarity before engineering began and allowed Vesalic to refine workflows without costly rework.

### Phase 2 – Core Platform Delivery

We developed the secure ingestion and cataloguing infrastructure:

- Structured intake of imaging data from European research centres
- Validation at upload and consistent data lineage
- Traceable metadata aligned to research needs
- Controlled access layers to protect sensitive datasets

### Phase 3 – Analytics & Workflow Acceleration

We implemented biomarker tracking automation and repeatable reporting processes:

- Automated biomarker workflows once target signatures are defined
- Structured exports for analysis environments
- Scalable storage and indexing patterns to support continued data growth

Throughout the engagement, development followed sprint-based cycles with staged testing, structured requirements capture, and close collaboration between scientific and technical teams.

The specification-first approach proved decisive in maintaining data integrity and scientific accuracy.

### Outcome

The project was completed ahead of schedule and within budget.

Vesalic now operates a scalable research data platform that:

Stores and manages more than 200 TB of biomedical scan data

Provides structured metadata and full traceability

Supports automated biomarker tracking once targets are defined

Enables faster, repeatable reporting for scientific and operational teams

Delivers a consistent, auditable source of truth across research workflows

The platform reduces friction in discovery pipelines and provides a robust foundation for Vesalic’s neurodegenerative disease programmes.

This was a complex and demanding project that was delivered ahead of schedule and on-budget. Having experience with projects such as this, helps us serve other businesses across a range of market sectors in the UK.

> **"****They have successfully developed a very complex system ensuring it is also as user-friendly as possible. We are delighted with the results.****" **

**- ****Pierpaola Ala****, ****Senior Project Manager****, ****Vesalic**

## FAQs

A bespoke biotech database and analytics platform designed specifically for clinical research workflows, with secure ingestion, structured metadata, audit trails and repeatable reporting.

The platform currently supports more than 200 TB of scan data, with architecture designed for continued growth.

Vesalic is a UK-based biotech company focused on neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS. The company emerged from stealth on 9 February 2026 following nearly three years of research.

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