Autolus Therapeutics plc is a London-based biopharmaceutical company developing programmed T cell therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. It was founded by Dr Martin Pule and spun out from University College London in 2014. [1] The company’s visual identity was refreshed by the London design and digital experience agency SampsonMay, which was asked to implement a brand refresh and redevelop the website to present the company in a more professional manner befitting a post-IPO listed commercial entity. [2]
Design and History
Autolus approached SampsonMay for a brand refresh and website redevelopment after its initial public offering. The project included a new colour palette: vibrant blue and green replaced a heavier teal and red scheme, giving the site a more optimistic look. [2]
During the refresh, the logo was adjusted and refined using the new brand typeface and colourway. The heritage within the existing circular shapes in the logo was retained and adopted as an “ownable” graphic device throughout the site. [2]
Meaning and Symbolism
The circular shapes within the Autolus logo represent a T cell breaking down the defences of a cancer cell. [2] This imagery directly reflects the company’s scientific focus on engineering T cells to recognize cancer cells, break down their defence mechanisms and eradicate them. [3]
Typography and Design
The refreshed logo was set in the new brand typeface, FS Emeric, which was introduced as part of the SampsonMay brand refresh. [2] The wordmark is presented alongside the circular T cell graphic device, with the logo adjusted and refined to work within the new colourway of vibrant blue and green. [2]
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