CannaBorn

Scientific Data Platform for Aspeya Switzerland SA • 2025

500 hours • Central research hub for chemical & biological cannabis investigations

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The Challenge

Aspeya Switzerland SA needed a better way to manage their scientific investigation of new drugs in the chemical and biological Cannabis space. Researchers were working with fragmented data from internal experiments and external studies. Key information on aerosol and smoke chemistry, in silico tox results, constituent analysis, and stability data lived in disconnected sources, making it hard to get the full picture, share findings, or generate timely reports on new compounds, strains, and products.

A central, collaborative platform was required — one that could ingest heterogeneous datasets, support dynamic exploration, enable team collaboration with proper access controls, and integrate external knowledge bases.

Solution Architecture

ArangoDB
Node.js (Backend / API)
React.js (Frontend)
AWS (Cloud)
Graph Database
Real-time Sync

ArangoDB: Multi-model graph database used as the core for storing complex scientific relationships between compounds, studies, stability data, and external references. Enables fast traversals and flexible schema for research data.

Node.js (Backend / API): Handles all server-side logic, REST/GraphQL APIs, data ingestion pipelines, and integration with external sources (ChEMBL, Labstat, etc.).

React.js (Frontend): Modern UI for the research dashboard, dynamic collections, advanced graphics, chat-like search, and collaboration baskets. Built for scientists with focus on usability and performance.

AWS (Cloud): Cloud infrastructure for hosting, scalable storage, and reliable deployment of the entire platform with high availability for R&D teams.

Graph Database: Core modeling for interconnected research entities (compounds, assays, publications, stability profiles) with powerful query capabilities.

Real-time Sync: Live updates across the platform for new data, external imports, and collaborative changes visible to all authorized users instantly.

Delivery Approach (Phased & Collaborative)

Q3 2025 (Core foundations) — Data ingestion for new datasets (stability, aerosol/smoke chemistry, constituent analysis), database and GUI adaptations, extension of dynamic collections, graphics improvements, reference splitting, and initial chat-like search.
Q4 2025 (Collaboration & polish) — Basket improvements (private, public, semi-private), external data sources (ChEMBL, DSSTOX, aroma compounds), further UI/UX, support, bug fixes, and stakeholder meetings.
Overall — Agile delivery with regular meetings, documentation, and continuous support. Built on an existing prototype to turn it into a production-grade collaborative research tool.

Regular deliveries with defined milestones. Emphasis on usability for R&D teams and scientific data integrity.

Investment Model

  • Fixed-price development
  • Total: CHF 75,000 (at 150 CHF/hour). TVA 8.1% not included.
  • Includes ongoing support and stakeholder meetings.
  • Total hours: 500

Status (2025)

Both Q3 and Q4 phases completed. The CannaBorn platform is now in active use as the central hub for Aspeya’s cannabis-related chemical and biological research, supporting internal investigations and the integration of external studies.

Why It Matters

This project showcases the A-Team’s strength in scientific data platforms and knowledge management: turning scattered, complex research data into a unified, searchable, and collaborative environment. It directly supports deeper insights, faster reporting, and better cross-team collaboration in a highly specialized R&D domain — exactly the kind of non-standard, high-impact work we thrive on.

Have complex scientific data that needs a real platform? Let's talk →