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

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

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

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

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.

Dr Spiros Servos

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.

Nikos Tzagkarakis

Nikos Tzagkarakis

Chief A.I. Officer

Leading the design of a neurosymbolic engine for SiSaf’s Bio-Courier technology is an exciting new challenge in my career of more than 15 years in data architectures and artificial intelligence.
Charles Weatherstone

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.

Management Team

Dr Suzanne Saffie-Siebert

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

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

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.

Nikos Tzagkarakis

Nikos Tzagkarakis

Chief A.I. Officer

Leading the design of a neurosymbolic engine for SiSaf’s Bio-Courier technology is an exciting new challenge in my career of more than 15 years in data architectures and artificial intelligence.
Richard Scarrott

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.

Dr Spiros Servos

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.

Charles Weatherstone

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.

Advisors

Prof. Anna Maria Teti

Prof. Anna Maria Teti

Full Professor of Histology, University of L’Aquila

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. Michael J Econs

Prof. Michael J Econs

Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University

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

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.

Prof. Tara Moore

Prof. Tara Moore

Professor of Personalised Medicine

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.

Prof. John Marshall

Prof. John Marshall

Frost Professor of Ophthalmology, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology

A pioneer of eye laser surgery and inventor/co-inventor of numerous patents, Prof. John Marshall has published extensively in the field of ophthalmology.
Todd E. Schlesinger, MD

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

Prof. Anna Maria Teti

Prof. Anna Maria Teti

Full Professor of Histology, University of L’Aquila School of Medicine

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. Michael J Econs

Prof. Michael J Econs

Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University

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

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.

Prof. Tara Moore

Prof. Tara Moore

Professor of Personalised Medicine, Ulster University

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.
Prof. John Marshall

Prof. John Marshall

Frost Professor of Ophthalmology, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology

A pioneer of eye laser surgery and inventor/co-inventor of numerous patents, Prof. John Marshall has published extensively in the field of ophthalmology.
Todd E. Schlesinger, MD

Todd E. Schlesinger, MD

Director, Clinical Research Center of the Carolinas

Medical Director, Board-Certified Dermatologist, Fellow American Society for Mohs Surgery.

Board

Dr Suzanne Saffie-Siebert

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 Richard Goodfellow

Dr Richard Goodfellow

Board Member

As Director of Research and Impact for one of SiSaf’s first investors, I’ve followed the company’s extraordinary progress from day one.

Dr Finian Tan

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 Elkhalil Binebine

Dr Elkhalil Binebine

Board Member

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 Damian Kelly

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

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

Neil Simms

Board Member

I’m extremely proud to have spotted the company’s global potential in its early days.
Tim Brundle

Tim Brundle

Board Member

As Director of Research and Impact for one of SiSaf’s first investors, I’ve followed the company’s extraordinary progress from day one.

Board

Dr Suzanne Saffie-Siebert

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 Richard Goodfellow

Dr Richard Goodfellow

Board Member

As Director of Research and Impact for one of SiSaf’s first investors, I’ve followed the company’s extraordinary progress from day one.

Dr Finian Tan

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 Elkhalil Binebine

Dr Elkhalil Binebine

Board Member

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 Damian Kelly

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

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

Neil Simms

Board Member

I’m extremely proud to have spotted the company’s global potential in its early days.
Tim Brundle

Tim Brundle

Board Member

As Director of Research and Impact for one of SiSaf’s first investors, I’ve followed the company’s extraordinary progress from day one.