The current cold chain logistics system has long been the backbone of vaccine and biologics transport, but it’s costly, inefficient, and vulnerable. According to the World Health Organisation, up to half of vaccines spoil due to cold chain failures, especially in less developed regions.
EnsilTech’s patented “Ensilication” technology offers a breakthrough solution. By wrapping sensitive biological materials in a protective silica shell, it keeps vaccines and biologics stable without refrigeration, even at temperatures up to 50°C. This innovation eliminates the dependency on ultra-cold storage and promises to reduce drug wastage and supply chain costs significantly.
Today, the Bristol-based biotech startup announced a £4.5 million seed funding round led by Eos Advisory, with participation from Calculus Capital, HERmesa, and other investors. The funding will accelerate the scaling of manufacturing infrastructure, support key new hires, and drive validation work critical for integrating Ensilication into pharmaceutical manufacturing workflows.
A female-led vision for sustainable healthcare
EnsilTech was co-founded by Dr. Sartbaeva and three others: Drs. Stephen Wells, Aswin Doekhie, and Matt Slade. Together, they combine deep scientific expertise with industry and commercialisation experience.
In a conversation with TFN, Sartbaeva emphasises the diversity and strength of the team, noting, “The founding team of EnsiliTech is not just a team of collaborators. There is deep respect between all members of the team… created as a result of aligned values, respect for each other’s personalities, diversity of thought and backgrounds…”
Sartbaeva was inspired to start EnsilTech from a personal experience: “In 2010, when my daughter was only five days old, I took her for vaccination and saw the vaccine taken directly out of the fridge for immediate use. I questioned if a vaccine must be warmed before administration, only to learn it would spoil if left at room temperature too long. This sparked my curiosity about the thermal stability of vaccines and drove the development of our technology.”
“Our patented Ensilication® technology platform creates protective layers of an inorganic material, silica, around individual biomolecule targets,” Sartbaeva explains. This protective “cage” prevents breakdown and degradation, allowing biomolecules to be stored and transported globally “without the need for fridges or freezers.”
Unlike lyophilisation and other cold chain-dependent methods, Ensilication is scalable, sustainable, and compatible with existing manufacturing processes.
What’s next?
EnsilTech’s latest funding will propel the company towards commercial partnerships and broader adoption of its platform technology.
Looking ahead, Sartbaeva shares: “Over the next 3–5 years, we plan to rapidly expand and scale up the operations… secure multiple new partnerships within animal and human health sectors, and bring our first human products through phase one clinical trials in preparation for full regulatory approval.”
Reflecting on her role as a female CEO, Sartbaeva advises, “Having very few female-CEOs in startups is quite noticeable, it is a lonely path to take. My advice to new female-CEOs is to surround yourself with like-minded, trustworthy, and passionate team members. Having trustworthy mentors and advisors along the way has helped tremendously.”
