The document discusses the development of Ximbio, a scientific portal and marketplace for research tools created by Cancer Research Technology (CRT) and Cyber-Duck. Cyber-Duck used an agile methodology to develop the minimum viable product within 3 months. They created a custom content management system and backend to support the complex functionality. Ximbio launched with over 900 research reagents listed and was nominated for two UX awards. Cancer Research UK continues working with Cyber-Duck to improve the product.

1. CANCER RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY
Design and development of a scientific portal for research tools
STRATEGY
We applied the agile methodology to the
project, meaning we worked under fixed price,
fixed time and flexible scope. Meticulous
persona and stakeholder research was used
to devise a list of priority features (or a
‘product backlog’) that captured the needs
of all audiences, including research scientists,
universities and commercial companies. We
also hired a dedicated consultant to advise us
on scientifically technical issues throughout
the project.
Our frontend approach had to be especially
considerate of cross-compatibility, as users will
sometimes access Ximbio on outdated systems
and a wide range of Internet browsers. Due to
the portal’s complex functionality, we decided
to write a completely customised backend.
OBJECTIVES
Scientists often invent and create biological
tools (or reagents) to help them solve problems
in research. These reagents could be shared
or sold to other scientists, to support their
experiments. Historically, time, resources, and
detailed information have been a challenge for
this.
Ximbio has been developed to address these
challenges. Building on CRT’s unique position
as the bridge between academia and industry,
the online portal will help the life science
community to exchange knowledge and trade
reagents.
Our objectives were:
__ Create a new brand within Cancer Research
Technology including name, logo, art
direction and tone of voice.
__ Build a minimum marketable product (MMP)
in a fixed timeline of three months.
__ Develop a bespoke content management
system for the complex online marketplace.
Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity, dedicated to saving
lives through research. Their development and commercialisation arm, Cancer
Research Technology (CRT) chose Cyber-Duck to develop Ximbio: a crowdsourced
marketplace for scientific research tools. Now listing over 900 materials, Ximbio
was nominated for two prestigious UX awards with BIMA and The Drum.
Case study /

2. CONTACT US
PHONE - +44 (0) 208 953 0070
EMAIL - siji@cyber-duck.co.uk
Hertfordshire office
Elstree House, 12 High Street
Elstree, Hertfordshire
WD6 3EP, United Kingdom
London office
85 Cowcross Street,
Farringdon, London, EC1M 6PF
United Kingdom
3months 900reagents Award finalist
to produce and
launch an MVP
listed on Ximbio
at launch
for UX / Usability, by BIMA
and The Drum
“We selected Cyber-
Duck following a
competitive tender,
and have been
delighted by the team’s
dedication and Agile
approach, delivering
a great product in
tight timelines and on
budget.”
Melanie Hardman PHD
Head of Ximbio, Cancer
Research Technology
OUTCOMES
Our team worked closely with CRT – often at
each other’s offices – to produce a minimum
marketable product (MMP) over a series of four
agile sprints.
We developed a bespoke content management
system (CMS) for the portal from scratch and
built complex back-end functionality on the
Laravel PHP framework. To address the site’s
user-friendliness, we built on our in-house
framework, Hoisin, and adhered to current best
practices of user experience (UX) and
responsive web design as always. Alongside
the portal, we created the Ximbio brand,
delivering the new name, logo design and
tone of voice, all of which were presented with
comprehensive brand guidelines.
The first phase of Ximbio launched last year,
with 900 reagents developed in universities
across the country. We continue to work with
CRT, improving the product by building the
backlog of features.