COMPANY OVERVIEW
Safeguard DNA Diagnostic Inc. (SDDI) is a Philippine Joint Venture company with an equal partnership with Safeguard Biosystems, formed to provide a Molecular Microbiology diagnostic laboratory delivering rapid detection and identification to primarily infectious disease and COVID-19 for the Philippine healthcare.
Safeguard Biosystems is an international molecular diagnostics company that has developed a low cost, high-throughput, molecular diagnostic technology platform. The system enables rapid identification by DNA of the most prevalent bacterial and fungal pathogens directly from blood. Clinical samples can be tested from matrices such as whole blood, urine, peritoneal fluid, and swabs. As a reflex test for positive samples, the system provides an extensive menu of tests to determine the presence of resistance genes. The system’s proprietary multiplexed PCR can deliver reliable and accurate results within hours directly from whole blood without the need for culture (current “gold standard” tests are less reliable and take at least 1-3 days). The system enables physicians rapidly to diagnose the pathogens that cause a patient’s infection and prescribe appropriate antimicrobial therapy for singular or poly-microbial infections. Such earlier diagnoses can reduce morbidity and mortality as well as offering significant cost benefits for healthcare providers. Early and appropriate use of antibiotics is an essential step in addressing the growing incidence of global antimicrobial resistance.
Safeguard Biosystems is a UK company, incorporated in 2006 and headquartered in Northvale, New Jersey, founded by Richard Strafehl and Barbara Merlo. Today, the company has experienced management team with expertise in the research and development of molecular diagnostic tools, product optimization, manufacturing, marketing, and finance. It employs 20 scientists, clinical and regulatory experts at its dedicated laboratory facilities. Besides its main facility in Northvale, Safeguard has laboratories and offices in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada.
Safeguard Biosystems and SDDI's technology has also been adapted to provide innovative pathogen solutions for Dairy, delivering practical solutions for advanced dairy industry challenges. A technology that can provide high-quality results to ensure safe dairy food and healthy herds.
Our Team
George Aaron
Founder and Chairman of Safeguard DNA Diagnostic Inc.
CEO of Safeguard Biosystems
Mr Aaron joined Safeguard in 2012 following an extensive career in the Life Science industry including working at Schering Plough. He has a track record of building companies and delivering successful exits, including two diagnostic companies.
Paul J. S. Jochico
Founder and Director of Safeguard DNA Diagnostic Inc.
Founder and CEO of Nephro Group of Dialysis
Founder of Global Nephro Training Center (GNTC)
Founder and Chairman of TPR Medical U.S. & Philippines
Mr. Jochico is a Filipino, based in the United States with thirty two years of experience in the healthcare industry and medical supply distribution both in the U.S and in the Philippines. As of 2020, Nephro Group is the largest dialysis provider in the Philippines with almost sixty facilities nationwide.
Julius Magallanes Jr.
Chief Executive Officer of Safeguard DNA Diagnostic Inc.
Chief Executive Officer of TPR Philippines
Mr. Magallanes Jr. joined Safeguard DNA Diagnostics Inc. in 2018 with a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Western Australia. He is the former Chief Operating Officer of the food chain, Tapa King Inc. and the President of TPR Medical Distributors Inc. a one-stop medical supply company based in the Philippines.
Howard Sherman
CFO of Safeguard DNA Diagnostic Inc.
CFO of Safeguard Biosystems
Mr Sherman spent thirty years in corporate finance, private banking and business consultancy prior to joining Safeguard in 2006. He was previously at Charterhouse Bank, Unibank, and undertook Business Recovery.
Dr. Marilyn Owens
Head of Development of Safeguard DNA Diagnostic Inc.
Head of Development of Safeguard Biosystems
Dr. Owens has a Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology and Immunology from UCLA and has run reference laboratories and consultancy across the United States for over 40 years. She also specialized in genetics, infectious disease, and cancer.
Dr. Rodelio Lim
Medical Director of Safeguard DNA Diagnostic Inc. Luzon
Dr. Rodelio Lim has years of experience in Combined Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and a former professor in the Department of Pathology and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in UST. He also held two other concurrent academic positions as Secretary of the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Assistant Chairman with the Department of Pathology at St. Luke’s College of Medicine William H. Quasha Memorial. Dr. Lim currently serves on the UST Hospital Pharmacotherapeutics Committee, as well as the Hospital Blood Transfusion and Stem Cell Ethics committees at St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City and currently heads departments at various hospitals and health care organizations in the Philippines.
Our Mission
To make molecular testing fast, simple and cost effective that every patient will be tested for every infection, reducing diagnostics errors and significantly limiting the spread of infectious disease in the Philippines
Our Vision
The trusted molecular diagnostic company - empowering lives through Accessibility, Accuracy, and Affordability.