SISCAPA Assay Technologies
SISCAPA Assay Technologies (SAT) specializes in developing, performing, and supporting definitive immunoaffinity-MS assays for protein drugs, targets, and biomarkers. Founded in 2011 by pioneers in the practical application of proteomics for pharmaceutical and diagnostic applications, SISCAPA has since developed hundreds of assays, including mass spectrometry tests. Many of these assays are currently in use in clinical trials, diagnostic tests, and research settings.
In addition to creating custom SISCAPA assays for numerous large and small Pharma and Biotech companies, SISCAPA has also curated a menu of compatible assays for a significant portion of the conventional clinical protein test menu, including mass spectrometry tests. The ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of clinical tests while simultaneously reducing costs.
The team at SISCAPA has spearheaded several notable advances in proteomics, particularly concerning the human plasma proteome.
Timeline
First proteomics investigation of human plasma
High resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis of human plasma proteins. L. Anderson, N. G. Anderson, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 74, 5421–5425 (1977), DOI: 10.1073/pnas.74.12.5421.
First 2-D gel database of human plasma
A two-dimensional gel database of human plasma proteins. Anderson, N.L. and Anderson, N.G. Electrophoresis 12: 883-906, 1991, DOI: 10.1002/elps.1150121108.
First immuno-subtraction technology to specifically remove multiple high-abundance plasma proteins
Multi-component immunoaffinity subtraction chromatography: an innovative step towards a comprehensive survey of the human plasma proteome. R. Pieper, Q. Su, C. L. Gatlin, S.-T. Huang, N. L. Anderson, S. Steiner, Proteomics 3, 422–432 (2003), DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200390057.
First assembly of a human plasma proteome
The Human Plasma Proteome: A Non-Redundant List Developed by Combination of Four Separate Sources Anderson, N.L., Polanski, M., Pieper, R., Gatlin, T., Tirumalai, R.S., Conrads, T.P., Veenstra, T.D., Adkins, J.N., Pounds, J.G, Fagan, R., and Lobley, A., Mol Cell Proteomics 3: 311-326 (2004), DOI: 10.1074/mcp.M300127-MCP200.
First targeted mass spectrometric panel to measure proteins in plasma
Quantitative mass spectrometric multiple reaction monitoring assays for major plasma proteins. N. L. Anderson, C. L. Hunter, Mol Cell Proteomics 5, 573–588 (2006), DOI: 10.1074/mcp.M500331-MCP200.
First survey of the clinical plasma proteome
The Clinical Plasma Proteome: A Survey of Clinical Assays for Proteins in Plasma and Serum. N. L. Anderson, Clin Chem 56, 177–185 (2010), DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2009.126706.
First proteomics study of daily blood samples for longitudinal biomarker tracking
Precision multiparameter tracking of inflammation on timescales of hours to years using serial dried blood spots. L. Anderson, M. Razavi, M. E. Pope, R. Yip, L. Cameron, A. Bassini-Cameron, T. W. Pearson, Bioanalysis 12, 937–955 (2020), DOI: 10.4155.bio-2009-0278.
First reproducible MS reagents to overcome auto-antibody interference in a clinical test (thyroglobulin)
A distributable LC-MS/MS method for the measurement of serum thyroglobulin. J. Shi, W. S. Phipps, B. Y. Owusu, C. M. Henderson, T. J. Laha, J. O. Becker, M. Razavi, M. A. Emrick, A. N. Hoofnagle, Journal of Mass Spectrometry and Advances in the Clinical Lab 26, 28–33 (2022), DOI: 10.1016/j.jmsacl.2022.09.005.
First successful MS assay for clinical detection of SAR-CoV-2 proteins
Cov 2 MS: An Automated and Quantitative Matrix-Independent Assay for Mass Spectrometric Measurement of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein. B. Van Puyvelde, et al, Anal. Chem. 94, 17379–17387 (2022), DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c01610.
N. Leigh Anderson, PhD (CEO, Director, co-Founder and SISCAPA inventor)
Dr. Anderson obtained a B.A. in Physics from Yale and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Cambridge University (England), has published 185 papers and been granted more than 50 Patents. He co-founded Large Scale Biology, an early proteomics company that IPO’d in 2000, and served on the board of directors of Dade Behring (a global diagnostics company). Among other distinctions he has received the American Association for Clinical Chemistry Young Investigator’s Award, the Pittsburgh Conference Analytical Chemistry Award and the HUPO Distinguished Achievement Award in Proteomic Science.
Terry Pearson, PhD (CSO, Director and co-Founder)
Dr. Pearson obtained his B.Sc. in microbiology and Ph.D. in immunology from the University of British Columbia. Early in his career as a staff scientist at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge (England) he collaborated with Georges Kohler and Cesar Milstein during their development of monoclonal antibody technology and derived the first commercial monoclonal antibody. Dr. Pearson has since pioneered the development of ultra-high affinity SISAPA antibody reagents, and continues to inspire applications of SISCAPA technology for infectious disease detection.
Constance Seniff (Co-Founder and VP, Business Operations).
Ms Seniff has a background in international business and biotechnology, including proteomics and diagnostics. She managed the business activities of Large Scale Biology Corporation through a startup phase that lead to a successful IPO in 2000, and has managed the financial affairs of SAT since its inception. Ms Seniff has a BSc with honors in Business from Florida State University.
Morteza “Morty” Razavi, PhD (CEO of SISCAPA’s Canadian subsidiary).
Dr. Razavi obtained a B.Sc. in microbiology and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Victoria, with a focus on clinical proteomics, and leads SISCAPA’s collaborations with pharma, biotech and academic research groups. He designed the fully automated SISCAPA workflow suitable for high throughput analysis of blood, plasma, serum and dried blood spot specimens in clinical settings. Dr. Razavi has a long-term interest in implementation of protein diagnostic panels for longitudinal monitoring of health and disease using a single drop of blood, believing that improved, individualized diagnostics will allow personalized medicine to reach its full potential.
Matt Pope, BSc (COO of SISCAPA’s Canadian subsidiary).
Matt obtained his B.Sc. in microbiology from the University of Victoria and has played a lead role in managing the generation and characterization of SISCAPA antibodies. He currently manages SISCAPA’s operations with a strong focus on client services. He developed advanced surface plasmon resonance techniques for assessing anti-peptide antibody affinity and strategies for selection of functional peptide-enrichment monoclonal antibody reagents. Matt has a unique and varied work history including guiding numerous expeditions in the Antarctic and Arctic, and in his spare time he is an avid windsports enthusiast.
Gustavo “Gus” Salem (Director)
Mr. Salem’s career spans over 30 years as a Sr. Executive leading highly effective teams in the life science and clinical diagnostics markets. A strategic leader with a strong track record of successfully bringing new technologies to market, Mr. Salem currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors at Axion Biosystems and G-Con Manufacturing, and served as former Chair and Board Member at Olink Proteomics (NASDAQ:OLK). His operational experience includes P&L and general management responsibilities including finance, human resources, product development and manufacturing operations of consumables and capital equipment, and sales and marketing management.
Selena Larkin, PhD MBA (Director of SISCAPA’s Canadian subsidiary)
Dr. Larkin has over 25 years’ experience developing and executing go-to-market strategies for innovative Life Science tools companies. Prior to her current role as Chief Commercial Officer at RareCyte, she has built and led high performing commercial teams at BIOCIUS (developer of the RapidFire platform), Agilent Technologies, SCIEX (a Danaher company) and Waters Corporation. Selena holds a Ph.D. In Protein Chemistry from the University of Melbourne and MBA in International Business from the University of Maryland.
Guo-liang Yu, PhD (SISCAPA Board advisor and Investor)
is a widely-respected biotechnology entrepreneur who has played a key role in SISCAPA’s strategic development. Dr. Yu obtained a BS at Fudan University, and a Ph.D. degree in molecular biology from the University of California, Berkeley. He is currently Global CEO of Apollomics (a clinical stage oncology therapy company) and was previously the founder and CEO of Epitomics, Inc., a pioneering rabbit monoclonal antibody company acquired by Abcam, and Executive Chairman of Crown Bioscience.
Ron Kamis, JD (Outside Counsel).
Ron is a highly skilled business lawyer, providing counsel on intellectual property agreements and strategic alliances. Ron is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia and before the United States Patent Office. He obtained a JD degree from George Washington University, an MS from Johns Hopkins University, and a BA from Duke University.
