The XYZ: Sixuan Li, Founder of CICS Analytics
By Arielle Garcia | October 31, 2023
| From ABC to XYZ, our newest column, The XYZ, explores some of the most innovative people, organizations, and topics for the next generation of bioentrepreneurs. BioBuzz is thrilled to spark new concepts, conversations and communities. |
About CICS Analytics
CICS Analytics developed a technology based on advanced single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and a cutting-edge toolset for comprehensive nanoparticle drug delivery analysis. Our solution features a high-resolution, sensitive, quantitative, and high-throughput analysis with an automated sample-to-answer process in under 20 minutes and requires minimal expertise. After developing successful prototypes and characterizing various therapeutic nanoparticles, CICS Analytics is now actively pursuing partnerships with biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and regulatory organizations to improve therapies and vaccines. We aim to set the industry standard by shifting the characterization of nanomedicine from a predominantly empirical and intuitive endeavor to a discipline firmly rooted in scientific principles and methodologies.
About Sixuan Li
Sixuan Li is a PhD Candidate and Research Assistant at Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering studying Biomedical Microelectromechanical Systems (BioMEMS), Single Molecule Techniques, and Nanoparticle Materialization.
He was first introduced to the field while attending an undergraduate course on microfluidics. The micro-scale fluid mechanics sparked his interest and inspired him to apply to his current lab at Johns Hopkins University for the opportunity to work with a team of talented optics and microfluidics engineers and nanomaterials scientists. Seeing the nature of microfluidics and its research application, Sixuan began to think of practical applications with far-reaching therapeutic potential. Beyond the recent success within gene and cell therapy (CGT) and the COVID vaccines based on mRNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP), there is huge potential for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and gene editing applications, as well as protein replacement-based therapeutics. However, such future advances will require improved rational design and comprehensive characterization in order to enhance stability, identify components that may cause acute immune responses, and maximize safety, as recommended by the drafted FDA guideline and US Pharmacopeia (USP).
Any ailment that occurs on the RNA or protein level could be treated with CICS Analytics technology. CICS Analytics considers the structure-function relationship that requires going back to the fundamentals to know precisely what is happening in the body without the toxicity and side effects of current treatments. In that regard, their technology provides a single particle-level information review, revealing the heterogeneity of the sample and providing quantitative information about the physicochemical attributes of particles in terms of payloads and empty particles. Empty particles could greatly impact immunogenicity, which is not too bad for flu patients but could be catastrophic for cancer patients. The additional layer of fine-tuning that CICS Analytics provides yields fundamental knowledge that the industry needs.
Four significant factors contributed to the creation of CICS Analytics: positive academic and industry feedback, the success of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, alumni role models, and community support. After Sixuan and his team published their paper demonstrating the nanoparticles’ analysis, they received multiple invites to give conference presentations. This opportunity allowed them to interact with the scientists and leading industry experts. The conversations revolved around the benefits of their technology and its need in R&D. The pandemic played a significant role in Sixuan’s startup journey. The mRNA vaccines highlighted the unprecedented success of RNA-based therapeutics. This realization opened new horizons, speeding the path from research to practical applications. There was more than the research, technology, and opportunity that influenced Sixuan to take the leap into entrepreneurship. He also had the privilege of witnessing three senior PhD alumni from his laboratory start successful academic spin-offs. These alumni became role models, demonstrating that success is attainable. Sixuan also actively participates in the Hopkins Club for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Carey Business School’s Private Equity and Venture Capital Club, broadening his understanding of business and venture capital.
Most impressive yet, Sixuan Li and his team were selected as a Nucleate Activator Program 2023 Cohort at Nucleate Baltimore. At the final pitch competition, CICS Analytics placed 1st among four other teams, taking home the Regional Main Prize and the Alnylam Scientific Excellence Award for having the overall best scores.
How did the Nucleate Activator Program play a role in your startup journey?
In the other clubs or organizations, I learned more soft-core lessons. Nucleate offers the hard-core part. They have well-organized workshops that help us go through this in a really well-formatted way. If you want to start your own startup, what are the risks? Regulations? Fundings considerations? They also walk us through other aspects like diversity in Biotech and so on. The coursework is nicely designed and helps us sit down and think carefully about what it takes and how we need to prepare ourselves for this. And also, the whole community holds another huge value. Interacting with experts, other teams, and all kinds of people from the entrepreneurial community was a really great experience.
The transition from academic research to startup has its unique set of challenges. For example, writing a proposal for a business venture is fundamentally different from research grant proposals. Sixuan is currently securing funding, starting with a proposal for TEDCO’s Maryland Innovation Initiative [link- https://www.tedcomd.com/funding/maryland-innovation-initiative]. Some of the considerations for the proposal are the business model, revenue streams, customer outreach, and a detailed plan to develop the minimal viable product. Sixuan has secured two industrial collaborators working on optimization of lipid nanoparticles as a delivery vehicle for their gene editing applications. These collaborations will serve as a good kind example to showcase CICS Analytics’ capacity.
Once funding is secured, Sixuan plans to use BioBuzz’s Talent Lab to source top talent. CICS Analytics will need talent with various expertise, including mechanical, electrical, and optical engineering, as well as manufacturing specialists. They also seek talent skilled in marketing, customer discovery, and business development.
What advice would you give those potential entrepreneurs?
My answer is just to go for it. Don’t hesitate. Yeah, you can never be prepared. It’s always learning by doing. So, instead of just sitting and thinking of all kinds of wild things that could go wrong or fail, why don’t you just start working, right? Start working on it. So maybe at first you thought, “Oh, it’s too much for me.” But looking back, like six years ago, I would have never thought I would start a startup. But you can force yourself into the position and then work on it. You’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish.
Sixuan emphasizes the importance of a learner’s mindset, patience, and learning by doing. All the experiences, friendships, mentorships, and networking were essential for his journey. His connections with industry peers and leaders gave him the confidence to embark on this entrepreneurial path. In closing, Sixuan expressed his deep gratitude for the opportunities he’s been granted, fully recognizing the role of timing, opportunity, and community support in his success, “It feels so unreal, you know. Sometimes, I think I am too lucky. It’s like a dream.”
He humbly acknowledged his good fortune and shared his belief in the cycle of learning and growing. In the same spirit, Sixuan believes in giving back to the community and is happy to share his experiences. If you would like to connect with him or collaborate with CICS Analytics, do not hesitate to reach out to him via LinkedIn.
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Arielle Garcia is originally from Pittsburgh, PA. She is a United States Air Force veteran and current student at Johns Hopkins University pursuing a Master of Science in Bioinformatics.
Arielle moved to Baltimore to participate as a Nucleate Activator 2023 Cohort with the venture team 4D Genomics. The Activator program is designed to equip the next generation of bioentrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take their ideas from lab-to-market. 4D Genomics did exceptionally well, taking home two of the five awards in the DEI and High Impact categories.
Although the Activator program is over, Arielle knew she wanted to continue being in the entrepreneurial space. The XYZ provides a platform to highlight bioentrepreneurs that are impacting the community, both locally and globally. She is looking forward to amplifying the voices of innovators and displaying the diversity of life science start-ups in the BioHealth Capital Region.
