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 organisation.
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 organisations scale. We act as a structural safeguard against cross-disciplinary blind spots in high-stakes R&D programs.
Investment organisations 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.
Most recently VP of R&D at Origin Materials, overseeing biological sciences teams. Previously held technical leadership roles at DuPont and IFF. Earned a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Penn State University and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California, San Francisco.
Director of Strategy and Business Development at Biose Industrie — the world's leading CDMO for live biotherapeutic products. Previously held technical and project management roles at Dow and DuPont, and led technical sales in IFF's Health business. Holds PhD and MBA degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
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 organisations, 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