About
SiSaf is delivering on the promise of RNA therapeutics to transform the treatment of disease
SiSaf has developed the Bio-Courier® platform of silicon stabilized hybrid lipid nanoparticles to dramatically improve the stabilization and delivery of RNA based therapeutics and vaccines. We are using these next-generation lipid nanoparticles to advance an in-house pipeline of RNA therapeutics for rare genetic skeletal disorders, alongside partnering with specialty pharmaceutical companies to maximize the potential applications of Bio-Courier technology.
Founded by entrepreneur and leading biomaterials specialist Dr Suzanne Saffie-Siebert, SiSaf is headquartered in Guildford, UK, with fully integrated state-of-the-art research labs, pilot manufacturing and bioanalytical facilities.
SiSaf is a private company supported by venture capital investors including Vickers Venture Partners and UK Future Fund.
Our Story
The company’s Founder and CEO, Dr Suzanne Saffie-Siebert, had the vision of a new generation of hybrid drug delivery technology that would combine lipid nanoparticles with biodegradable silicon. This vision was rooted in years of experience with both liposomes and silicon. Suzanne did her PhD thesis on the incorporation of plasmid DNA into liposomes and helped pioneer drug delivery with porous silicon at pSiMedica, a spin-out of Qinetiq. She hypothesized that silicon could be used to stabilize lipid nanoparticles and that in turn lipids would help control the biodegradation of Silicon. With this vision, SiSaf began operating in 2008 with funding from Invest NI and the investment arm of the University of Ulster.
During SiSaf’s foundational years a small team worked on developing and optimising the new hybrid technology and generating safety and efficacy data. These data enabled SiSaf in 2016 to secure Series A funding to pivot from a University-based pre-seed company to an emerging biopharma company commercializing its delivery technology.
In 2018, the company formed a partnership with Croda International plc and launched a skincare subsidiary in the U.S.
In 2019, Suzanne Saffie-Siebert made the strategic decision to focus SiSaf’s R&D activities on nucleic acid-based medicines. The company partnered with Avellino Labs USA to co-develop topical gene therapies for corneal dystrophies, and entered into a license and research agreement with the University of L’Aquila, Italy, for the development of siRNA therapies for rare skeletal diseases.
Management Team
Dr Suzanne Saffie-Siebert
Chairwoman & Chief Executive Officer
I believe good science equals good business. SiSaf is the culmination of more than 25 years that I spent in drug delivery research and senior management.
Dr Michael Welsh
Chief Scientific Officer
As an immunologist, I spent two decades understanding the modes of action in disease and looking for treatments. I’ve seen how Bio-courier technology can intervene and cure.
Dr Nessim Torabi-Pour
Chief Technical Officer
My 20 years’ experience in analytical techniques and drug delivery research helped boost the development of ProSilic right from the start.
Richard Scarrott
Chief Financial Officer
SiSaf has a fantastic opportunity to develop and commercialise its Bio-Courier technology for a range of therapies, particularly in gene therapy. As an experienced finance professional, it is great to be able to work with Suzanne and the team to realise that value growth.
Charles Weatherstone
Head of Sales & Marketing
Over my many years in health care marketing I’ve had lots of drug delivery systems cross my desk but all of them fell short, until I was introduced to SiSaf. I was so impressed I joined the company.
Dr Spiros Servos
Head of Business Development
I am particularly excited about the development of affordable therapies for autosomal dominant diseases with Bio-Couriers. I believe non-viral gene therapies have the potential to become standard clinical practise.
Management Team
Dr Suzanne Saffie-Siebert
Chairwoman & Chief Executive Officer
Dr Michael Welsh
Chief Scientific Officer
As an immunologist, I spent two decades understanding the modes of action in disease and looking for treatments. I’ve seen how Bio-courier technology can intervene and cure.
Dr Nessim Torabi-Pour
Chief Technical Officer
My 20 years’ experience in analytical techniques and drug delivery research helped boost the development of ProSilic right from the start.
Richard Scarrott
Chief Financial Officer
SiSaf has a fantastic opportunity to develop and commercialise its Bio-Courier technology for a range of therapies, particularly in gene therapy. As an experienced finance professional, it is great to be able to work with Suzanne and the team to realise that value growth.
Charles Weatherstone
Head of Sales & Marketing
Over my many years in health care marketing I’ve had lots of drug delivery systems cross my desk but all of them fell short, until I was introduced to SiSaf. I was so impressed I joined the company.
Dr Spiros Servos
Head of Business Development
I am particularly excited about the development of affordable therapies for autosomal dominant diseases with Bio-Couriers. I believe non-viral gene therapies have the potential to become standard clinical practise.
Advisors
A leading expert on genetic bone diseases and a former President of the European Calcified Tissue Society, Prof. Teti has published more than 200 papers on bone cells and skeletal disorders.
Prof. Econs is the Director of the division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the Indiana University School of Medicine and a world-leading expert on metabolic bone disease.
Prof. Achim Aigner
Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, Leipzig University
Prof. Aigner is the Head of Clinical Pharmacology in the Faculty of Medicine of Leipzig University and a renowned expert on novel RNA treatment strategies, especially in oncology.
A renowned expert in gene editing and gene silencing treatments for autosomal dominant eye diseases, Prof. Moore concurrently holds a chair at Ulster University in Northern Ireland and is Chief R&D Officer for Avellino Labs, USA.
Todd E. Schlesinger, MD
Director, Clinical Research Center of the Carolinas
Dr. Schlesinger is a board-certified dermatologist, derma surgeon and seasoned investigator, who has been involved in hundreds of clinical trials.
Advisors
A leading expert on genetic bone diseases and a former President of the European Calcified Tissue Society, Prof. Teti has published more than 200 papers on bone cells and skeletal disorders.
Prof. Achim Aigner
Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, Leipzig University
Prof. Aigner is the Head of Clinical Pharmacology in the Faculty of Medicine of Leipzig University and a renowned expert on novel RNA treatment strategies, especially in oncology.
Todd E. Schlesinger, MD
Director, Clinical Research Center of the Carolinas
Board
Dr Suzanne Saffie-Siebert
Chairwoman & Chief Executive Officer
I believe good science equals good business. SiSaf is the culmination of more than 25 years that I spent in drug delivery research and senior management.
I led the Series A investment in SiSaf not just because of their innovative platform technology, but also the passion of the people behind it.
Dr Finian Tan
Board Member
Ever since I led the investment in Baidu and became its largest shareholder on behalf of Dfj Eplanet, I’ve been on the lookout for companies with game changing technologies. SiSaf is one of those game changers.
Dr Damian Kelly
Board Member
As Croda’s Head of Global R&D, I value the expertise and dedication that SiSaf’s team bring to their breakthrough technology.
Eric M. Attias
Board Member
During my 25 years in the financial industry, SiSaf is one of the most exciting biotech companies I’ve come across.
Neil Simms
Board Member
Tim Brundle
Board Member
Board
Dr Suzanne Saffie-Siebert
Chairwoman & Chief Executive Officer
I believe good science equals good business. SiSaf is the culmination of more than 25 years that I spent in drug delivery research and senior management.
Dr Finian Tan
Board Member
Ever since I led the investment in Baidu and became its largest shareholder on behalf of Dfj Eplanet, I’ve been on the lookout for companies with game changing technologies. SiSaf is one of those game changers.
Dr Damian Kelly
Board Member
As Croda’s Head of Global R&D, I value the expertise and dedication that SiSaf’s team bring to their breakthrough technology.
Eric M. Attias
Board Member
During my 25 years in the financial industry, SiSaf is one of the most exciting biotech companies I’ve come across.
Neil Simms
Board Member
Tim Brundle
Board Member
