Kartos Therapeutics and Telios Pharma · Exhibit design
The Poiesis Experience at the European Hematology Association Congress 2023: a visually compelling environment united with vivid science storytelling.
The challenge
The vision came from Wayne Rothbaum, Executive Chairman of both companies. In 2015 he had asked us to build a booth for Acerta Pharma channeling the monolith from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
To introduce Kartos and Telios at EHA 2023 we focused on poiesis — a bringing-forth, an emergence — to show how the companies are unraveling the mysteries of cancer biology, and to hold the relationship between human biology and the broader cosmos in one frame.
The Cube
Each portal carried a custom animation. Two presented mechanisms of action — five-minute films that begin in a swirling galaxy and the Cancer constellation, dive into the cellular and molecular environment, then return to the constellation. The other two carried each company's mission, vision, clinical development pipeline and trials in a six-minute animation.
Early concept sketches evolved to forego suspended signage entirely, in favour of a reductionist presence on a crowded floor.
The films
{{ frameLabel }} · frames from the clinical development pipeline animation
The floor
A tranquil watery surface stands for healthy cells. It turns dark and turbulent as disease takes hold. Then blue and cyan glowing particles — the novel therapies — burst outward in a concentric pulse that calms the water, carried by a musical underscore and sound effects.
The build
feet tall
foot glassed-in LED portals
pounds
foot digital floor
The iPad show
Most of the content came from the clinical development pipeline animation, with a sidebar added for nonlinear navigation. The team could jump around freely and touch the hero molecule to reach a slide carrying a QR code for more information.
“[We] aspire to transcend biology by creating something miraculous out of nothing for cancer patients, a poietic approach to unraveling the mysteries of cancer biology.”
Wayne Rothbaum
Executive Chairman, Kartos Therapeutics and Telios Pharma
Accolades
Award of Excellence · Rx Club — Kartos, Navtemadlin MOA animation
Award of Excellence · Rx Club — Telios, TL-895 MOA animation
Gold · MUSE Advertising Awards — Poiesis campaign
Impact
The EHA Congress brings together doctors, researchers, patients, advocacy groups, geneticists and nurses. The brief was to create buzz and interest while translating complex science into punchy narratives — for all of them at once.
Partners
Cognition Studio
Scientific storytelling, the animations, the iPad presentation, the social campaign, and the conference posters.
The Taylor Group
Booth strategy and design, digital technology, fabrication, drayage, installation, onsite support and deconstruction.
