Understanding Multiple Sclerosis through virtual reality

Client

Roche Pharmaceuticals

Sector

Research, Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals

Tech

Virtual Reality (VR), 360° Video and Virtual Tours

Experiencing the effects of MS

Roche Pharmaceuticals wanted to raise awareness of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) by helping people experience its effects firsthand. We created Virtual Myelin – a VR experience combining 360º video and CGI animation to simulate MS symptoms and explore the science behind them. The project offered healthcare professionals, patients and the public a powerful, empathetic view of life with MS.


The challenge

Roche is dedicated to advancing treatments for Multiple Sclerosis, a condition that profoundly affects the lives of those diagnosed. Beyond presenting medical facts, they wanted to evoke empathy and deepen understanding by showing the world through the eyes of someone living with MS. The challenge was to translate a complex neurological condition into an experience that was both scientifically accurate and emotionally impactful. It needed to resonate with healthcare professionals, patients and wider audiences alike – providing insight into symptoms while helping explain the underlying biological processes in a format that would leave a lasting impression.

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The process

We developed an immersive VR experience that used a combination of 360º video and computer-generated animation to recreate some of the many symptoms associated with MS, including blurred and double vision. By subtly altering the user’s visual environment, the experience evoked the disorientation and difficulty of everyday tasks faced by those living with the condition. To deepen the understanding, the journey continued inside the brain, where animated 3D models depicted microscopic processes such as demyelination. This fusion of realism and abstraction transformed medical data into something tangible, allowing users to see and feel the effects of MS first-hand.

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The outcome

Virtual Myelin gave Roche a powerful and emotive tool for education and awareness. The VR experience allowed viewers to empathise with MS patients on a deeply human level while also visualising the science behind the disease. Its combination of immersive visuals and scientific accuracy helped bridge the gap between knowledge and understanding – making the invisible symptoms of MS visible. For Roche, the project reinforced their commitment to innovation in both treatment and communication, providing an unforgettable way to engage audiences and inspire greater awareness of the challenges faced by people living with Multiple Sclerosis.

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