Summarizing research results digitally and graphically with VaVisual Abstract

In today's world, we have access to more information than ever before. While this can be a good thing, it also creates a problem: information overload. With so much data available, it can be difficult to sort through it all and find what's important. This is particularly true in the fields of medicine and science, where researchers are inundated with new publications and data every day. VaVisual Abstract is a startup that aims to address this problem. By creating a new format for scientific communication - the interactive Visual Abstract (iVA) - they are revolutionizing the way researchers find and read scientific publications. In this interview, we speak with CEO Saribek Karapetyan to learn more about their unique solution, the benefits of partnering with them, and their plans for the future.

How would you explain your solution in three sentences to a professional colleague in a chemical company / health company / industrial company?

We developed a novel format to present medical research results, the so-called interactive Visual Abstract (iVA). Soon, this digital and interactive format will influence and in some cases even eliminate current formats of scientific communication. Most importantly, it gives sales and marketing staff a unique opportunity to showcase the complex research behind their products in front of a broad audience.

What problem motivated you to start the company? 

Visual Abstract is a mission-driven company. We want to revolutionize the ways in which researchers find and read scientific publications. We spent years developing a product that can summarize scientific publications in a digital format that boosts reading speed and content memorization. Our vision is that one day every research publication comes with a Visual Abstract. We see a particularly great need for research dissemination and research communication in the life sciences/medical industry and would like to explore the potential of our Visual Abstracts with corporate customers.

How do you convince a chemical company / health company / industrial company to set up a pilot project with you? 

With our unique Visuals, we offer pharmaceutical, medtech and biotechnology companies high-quality graphical summaries of their scientific texts in a novel, interactive format. These iVAs bundle the core statements of a scientific publication in a clear graphical summary. At the same time, they enable potential users to call up detailed information such as graphs, tables and descriptions as required. 

Our solution offers pilot partners numerous benefits: iVAs are ideally suited to present a partner's research results in a visually appealing and compact way, as well as to fade in more complex research details, if needed and at the push of a button. This interactive format gives private company research special visibility, both at scientific meetings (e.g., on a large touchscreen) and during sales calls (e.g., on a tablet).

Who are your current customer (groups) and who do you want your potential customers to be? 

Our focus so far has been academic publishing. The pharmaceutical industry, however, comprises the second-largest medical research community. We are currently exploring the potential of our interactive Visual with corporate pilot customers.  

Where do you see yourself in 3 years and how can 5-HT support you?

The way in which people communicate has changed drastically. Our craving for information in the form of audio and visuals has led to an unprecedented information explosion. Our vision is to empower researchers and non-researchers alike to deal with information overabundance by shaping how they communicate through text and visuals. 5-HT will be a crucial partner to catalyze our collaboration efforts with some of the leading companies in the life sciences/medical sciences.