ORION: A smart microfactory to accelerate personalized cancer treatments

A Swiss-led research consortium is developing an AI-powered microfactory capable of producing patient-specific tumor models to revolutionize precision oncology.

The ORION project, coordinated by Haute École Arc Ingénierie (HE-Arc) in collaboration with the University of Bern, aims to transform cancer research and treatment through a next-generation, AI-driven “microfactory” that autonomously creates personalized tumor models.

Funded by Innosuisse under its flagship program “Artificial Intelligence in the Life Sciences, from a Human Health Perspective”, the project benefits from a total budget of CHF 13 million and will run from November 2025 to November 2029.

Bridging engineering and biomedicine

Developed at HE-Arc’s MicroLean Lab in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the microfactory concept originated in the watchmaking and precision manufacturing sectors. These autonomous, self-correcting production units have now been adapted for biomedical applications, marking a pioneering step in cross-disciplinary innovation. “After six years of developing autonomous microfactories in the watchmaking industry, the ORION project is transferring this visionary concept to the BioMedTech industry,” notes the HE-Arc team.

The ORION microfactory will use tumor-specific patient data and tissue samples to generate “minitumors,” also known as tumor organoids, lab-grown models that mimic the structure and behavior of real human tumors. By integrating AI-based feedback loops, sensors, and sequencing data, the microfactory will continuously optimize these organoids to reproduce patient-specific tumor characteristics with unprecedented precision.

Toward adaptive and scalable precision oncology

These personalized tumor models will enable researchers to test and identify the most effective treatments for each patient, accelerating drug discovery and improving clinical trial design. The technology also holds potential for digital tumor twins, virtual models simulating treatment responses before applying them to patients.

The ORION consortium brings together 24 Swiss partners, including research institutions such as ETH Zurich’s NEXUS Personalized Health, FHNW, CSEM, and the Swiss Innovation Park Biel/Bienne, alongside hospitals, start-ups, and global technology leaders like Siemens, IMA Automation and QAI Ventures.