We pressure-test complex R&D programs to uncover the blind spots that experts in their own fields cannot always see — and deliver that analysis in a way your team can act on.
Scilo Bridge was established to increase the success rate of complex cross-functional R&D programs. Experts in their chosen fields are deeply knowledgeable and deeply committed — yet that very depth can create blind spots. We call these blind spots SCIentific siLOs.
Overcoming those blind spots is hard. Confronting overly optimistic viewpoints within a team is politically difficult, even when problems are plainly visible to those looking in from the outside. We do due diligence on complex innovation projects to pressure-test them and materially improve your team's odds of success.
We excel at bridging disciplinary divides, digging deeply into the science, and surfacing critical findings in a manner that is heard — not dismissed. In short: we bridge scientific silos so you get more return on your R&D budget.
"Experts in their silos are at risk of missing critical connections between scientific disciplines if not forced to look at due diligence through a different lens."
— Ryan Lauchli, PhD, MBA · Principal ConsultantAfter a mutual NDA, we form a team of consultants and meet your team to understand the project, its scientific hypotheses, and the team dynamics at play.
Before the intensive analysis phase begins, we provide an upfront estimate of hours, timeline, deliverables, and total charge — no surprises.
We identify unstated hypotheses, test them with deep literature searching and scenario analysis — following a Red Teaming methodology adapted from wargaming and cyber security.
We construct presentation materials and work with you to deliver the analysis in a manner that is likely to be heard, acted on, and impactful within your organization.
The Scilo Bridge team has had great success in bringing innovation projects to fruition in biotech areas. Each consultant and advisor has enabled this success by diving deep into the assumptions of protein engineering, assay design, enzyme formulation, HTS data handling, animal science, microbiology, molecular biology, production operations, quality, regulatory, product management and more specialties involved. Scilo Bridgers excel at identifying crucial hypotheses to de-risk at the intersection of these specialties to make projects successful. It is also our experience that this cross-functional de-risking is actually quite difficult for experts with ingrained expert points of view.
An example of experts' siloed perspectives leading a team in the wrong direction comes from an experience at a Fortune 500 innovation company on a project to develop a bacterium as a commercial product addressing an animal disease. The project was filled with scientists carrying deep expertise in bacterial product development and animal nutrition — all in agreement that a particular bacterial species would resolve this disease. One current Scilo Bridge consultant was leading the formulations effort on the team and stepped outside his defined role to dive into the microbiome science of the animal — and then deeper still into its physiology. This person's cross-functional analysis made it clear the chosen bacterium would not function as intended.
When this analysis was elevated to the team lead, the experts convinced leadership to continue down the same path. Fifteen months later, the project was discontinued when animal results confirmed exactly what the cross-disciplinary analysis had shown. The wasted time was a multi-million dollar error in R+D investment.
Having implemented successes and, conversely, identifying impending failue of complex cross-functional innovation, the Scilo Bridge team believes it can bring perspective to focus on the right de-risking and progress paths for your projects. And to point out areas where investment should be avoided. We're looking forward to helping your pipeline or dealflow hit the target faster and more often.
Medium-to-large companies where technical silos naturally form as organizations scale. We act as a structural safeguard against cross-disciplinary blind spots in high-stakes R&D programs.
Investment organizations that require rigorous, independent scientific due diligence before committing capital. We provide the deep technical scrutiny that traditional financial due diligence cannot replace.
Early-stage companies seeking deep complementary technical expertise to strengthen their core team. We're enthusiastic innovators ourselves and can discuss equity, low-cost, or creative engagement arrangements.
We also enjoy brainstorming with academic colleagues as a way of staying at the sharp edge of innovation and giving back to the scientific community.
Previously Product Manager at IFF (International Flavors & Fragrances), leading an innovative product line in the Health business. Has held biochemistry and formulations development roles at IFF and DuPont. Earned a PhD in Chemistry from UC Irvine and an MBA from Drexel University. Conducted postdoctoral research in the lab of Nobel laureate Frances Arnold at Caltech. Active angel investor with East Carolina Angels and Robin Hood Ventures, with due-diligence experience across seven portfolio companies. Gives back to entrepreneurial community with Spark Factory mentorship at Delaware's Innovation Space and judging University of Delaware's Diamond Challenge pitch contest.
Research and Development Executive with a proven track record of building value through converting cutting-edge science into commercial technology across biotechnology and chemistry domains. Most recently VP of R&D at Origin Materials, leading scientists and engineers in the sustainable chemistry area. Previously held technical leadership roles in the areas of Microbiome Science, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology at IFF and DuPont. As both a scientist and leader was involved in the commercialization of several products. Earned a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Pennsylvania State University and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California, San Francisco.
Director of Strategy & Business Development at Biose Industrie, a leading CDMO specializing in live biotherapeutics and next-generation probiotics. Brings a strong combination of scientific and commercial expertise, with prior roles in technical development and portfolio management at Dow and DuPont, and leadership in technical sales within IFF's Health division. Holds dual PhDs from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Life Sciences and Business Strategy.
Technical Fellow and Principal Engineer with world-leading fermentation expertise spanning biochemicals, biofuels, probiotics, direct-fed microbials, enzymes, and functional proteins. Has worked with demanding microbes including strict anaerobes, high-O₂ demand organisms, yeasts, spore formers, and more. His leadership of teams, plant transfer knowledge, and key advisor role on projects drove many tens of millions of dollars of revenue across a 41-year career. Holds degrees from Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania.
R&D and strategy leader in industrial biotechnology, with a focus on translating complex science into clear investment and portfolio decisions. Has led cross-functional programs at IFF and DuPont, working at the intersection of R&D, business, and innovation strategy. Holds a PhD from the Institut Pasteur and has completed executive education through Harvard Business School Online. Her expertise spans microbial genetics and genomics, strain engineering for the bioethanol industry, and adaptive evolution, with applications ranging from large-scale biofuels to specialty ingredients and fragrances. Brings deep experience in R&D portfolio management and governance, helping organizations challenge assumptions, prioritize resources, and focus on the programs most likely to succeed.
Industrial biotechnology leader and inventor specializing in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, protein expression, and industrial microbiology. Widely recognized for his impact on advancing sustainable biotechnology and shaping innovation strategies for commercial products. Has served as Technical Fellow and Senior Principal Investigator at IFF and DuPont, leading teams that developed scalable microbial strains and fermentation systems for commercial manufacturing. His work has enabled products in renewable nutrition, high-yield chemicals, bio-based materials, musk molecules, and fermentation technologies. Authored 49 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals such as Nature Biotechnology and Science, holds over 100 U.S. patents, and received DuPont's Pedersen Medal for Excellence in Science. Earned his PhD from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and completed postdoctoral training at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.
R&D Digital & AI Consultant leading a global practice for mid-size to large enterprises, helping R&D organizations with AI capability building, architecture design, vendor evaluation, and solution development. Previously the first R&D data scientist at DuPont, where he led digital transformation and built scientific data platforms, workflow automation, knowledge graphs, predictive models and generative AI solutions. Chair-elect of the Chemical Consultants Network. Holds a PhD in Chemistry and an MS in Computer Science.
Biomedical researcher in both start-up and academic environments. Most recently Research Director in the Gene Therapy Program at the University of Pennsylvania developing recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) gene therapies. Previously Principal Investigator working on molecular therapeutics for diabetes and obesity in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at the University of Pennsylvania. Earned a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego and conducted postdoctoral research with Erin O’Shea, PhD at the University of California, San Francisco and with Jerry Workman, PhD at The Pennsylvania State University.
Bioscience product safety thought leader and regulatory strategy advisor with global experience guiding the safe, compliant development and commercialization of food and feed biotechnology products. Formerly VP of Scientific & Public Affairs at DuPont and IFF, where he founded and scaled a Regulatory Science & Advocacy organization and advised executives on biotechnology acceptance and the evolving regulatory landscape. Earlier, he led global product stewardship and regulatory functions at DuPont Industrial Biosciences and Genencor and R&D teams at Pioneer Hi-Bred International and Kemin Industries. He has filed numerous GRAS notices and other regulatory submissions with U.S. and Canadian agencies and has contributed to international biosafety, regulatory and trade dialogues across Asia and Latin America. Vince holds degrees in Animal Science/Animal Nutrition from Wageningen Agricultural University and Virginia Tech and completed biotech post-doctoral training at Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada and the Noble Foundation. He is passionate about bioscience regulatory capacity building with start-ups and risk communication through publications and presentations for global audiences.
Our consultants bring hands-on expertise spanning the full innovation lifecycle. If we don't hold the specific expertise you need, we connect you to our rigorously vetted allied consultant network.
We meet to understand your project and its needs under mutual NDA. We may begin engaging your team and gathering project details, then provide a clear estimate covering hours, timeline, deliverables, and total charge before the intensive analysis phase begins.
Our intent is that our fee generates a more than 10× return in saved R&D time and expense.
We are enthusiastic innovators ourselves. For start-ups, academic collaborators, and small organizations, we are open to low-cost, equity-based, or other creative engagement structures that reflect your stage and constraints.
Talk to us — we would rather find a way to work with you than not work with you at all.
We begin with a conversation. No commitment required to explore whether Scilo Bridge is the right fit for your project.
Scilo Bridge Consultancy Group