EnsiliTech Spin-out of University of Bath

Ensilicated Technologies announce their spin-out from the University of Bath.

EnsiliTech is a biotechnology start-up developing ensilication, a platform technology, to remove the need for refrigeration when transporting and storing biologicals such as vaccines, antibody treatments, or even insulin. Ensilication creates protective layers on top of biomolecules that protect the structure of the biological and prevent thermal damage when they are taken out of the fridge or freezer. Cold chain dependence of biologicals is a global challenge that affects patient access to life saving treatments and therapies. As an example, about 50% of vaccines globally are spoiled and wasted because of cold chain failures and annually about 1.5 million infants die from vaccine-preventable diseases. 

Ensilication is based on 12 years of research in Dr. Asel Sartbaeva’s laboratory at Bath sparked when Dr. Sartbaeva took her new-born daughter to be vaccinated in 2010 and observed that the vaccine was taken out of the fridge just before the administration, and how difficult this must be in developing countries. Through a Royal Society University Research Fellowship, she was able to indulge this curiosity as a side project using her extensive knowledge of silica-based materials to try to create a coating for vaccines. In 2017, Dr. Sartbaeva together with Dr. Stephen Wells (a co-inventor of ensilication) applied for a patent and published their first peer-reviewed publication about the new method. Further work was done by PhD students, Aswin Doekhie (CTO) and Matt Slade (BD), who looked at ensilication of toxoids and bacteriophages respectively.

Over the last year, the team joined Spin Up Science Ventures, a venture accelerator dedicated to supporting early stage academic breakthroughs, to explore the market opportunity for their technology securing funding in the InnovateUK ICURe program. Having recently been awarded a £300k follow-on Innovate UK grant, EnsiliTech are currently fundraising match investment.

The technology has received several awards, including the Biggest Game-Changing Technology award from SETSquared in 2017; IChemE Biotechnology award in 2017; the RSC Emerging Technologies Competition in Health category in 2020. Dr. Asel Sartbaeva has been awarded a WISE award in 2017; Hanson medal from IChemE in 2019; FDM Everywoman in Technology “Woman of the Year” award in 2021.

Dr. Asel Sartbaeva, CEO said: “Spinning-out of the university is an exciting step for EnsiliTech and it will help us in achieving our mission of making many vaccines and medications stable without refrigeration. Developing the ensilication method has always been quite personal for me as our journey started with the birth of my daughter. My dream is to make many vaccines thermally stable and more available to everyone no matter where they live, and it's amazing that I can share this with such a talented and enthusiastic team.”

Dr. Aswin Doekhie, CTO said: " Spinning out from the University of Bath with EnsiliTech, together with such a solid founding team, is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me where I can be part of something much greater. This event represents a turning point for our research to generate a wider impact to society and boost global health." 

Dr. Matt Slade, Business Development said: “We have an amazing opportunity to save millions of lives and make a true difference. Ensilication can eliminate the problematic cold chain once and for all, improving vaccine and medicine access to areas of the world that need it the most. I’m excited for the chance to work with such a talented group of people.”

EnsiliTech is part of Spin Up Science Ventures portfolio working closely together to realise the commercialisation of EnsiliTech’s technology platform.

EnsiliTech is part of the Launch programme with We are Pioneers Group and the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub, through the Enterprise Fellowship for Dr. Asel Sartbaeva.

EnsiliTech is currently raising investment. If you are interested in investing and finding out more about our technology, please contact us on asel@ensilitech.com or visit www.ensilitech.com.