ABP was established in 1996 by Dr Brian Somerville, a neurophysician and enthusiast for using multimedia to explain complicated medical concepts. Before founding the company he made several animated videos. The first, Eye Movements and their Disorders (1985) was aimed at medical students and graduates. A second video, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (1987) was intended to inform not only health care professionals, but also patients, their families and the general public. Then, following the formation of the company, a wider range of services was offered including web-related work, and making animated productions in DVD form. Topics have included genetics, obstructive hydrocephalus in children, overcoming physical disabilities, schizophrenia, childhood cancer, Tourette’s syndrome, cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery and migraine headaches.

Fortunately ABP is situated almost adjacent to Westmead Hospital, a 950 bed hospital, and close to the 300 bed Children’s Hospital atWestmead. Both hospitals are teaching hospitals of the University of Sydney. This location allows us to draw on advice from experts in all fields of medicine. Our animators work under the constant supervision of a senior physician who can draw on advice from these sources .to ensure accuracy. We have also worked on several biotech projects in which staff members with a scientific background had no problem in communicating with research scientists.

The majority of our work is for American and Australian clients, but we also have a presence in Japan.

ABP has steadily grown in line with progress in medical science, biotechnology and computer animation. We now produce not only self-contained DVDs, but also animations for pharmaceutical companies, educational publishers, medical and science undergraduates and postgraduates, for producers of TV documentaries and current affairs programs, and for the courtroom.

Reviewing Animated Biomedical Productions’ GENETICS, the journal
NATURE (GENETICS) wrote:

“One picture equals….a thousand textbook phrases”