Management Team

Dia Beta Labs avail of a highly experienced team with extensive scientific and commercial experience. Collectively, the DBL team bring over 100 years of experience in drug discovery and development.

A diabetes-focused pharmacist, led DBL’s innovation and fundraising, while advancing DBL’s therapeutic and commercial potential.
Dr. Ryan Lafferty

Founder, CEO

Peter brings strategic leadership, investor relations, and biotech expertise, driving commercial focus and partnership success.
Prof. Peter Simpson

Executive Chair, Co-Founder

Nigel is an esteemed diabetes researcher with expertise in gut peptides, drug discovery, teaching, patents, and editorial leadership.
Prof. Nigel Irwin

Academic Director, Co-Founder

Alex is the Head of Innovation and Impact at Ulster University.
Dr. Alex Chacko

University Director

DBL Scientific Committee

 

The DBL scientific advisory committee is comprised of four opinion leaders in the field of diabetes and obesity research, namely Prof. Peter Flatt (ranked no.1 insulin researcher in the UK), Prof. Finbarr O’Harte (former president of the Irish Endocrine society), Prof. Nigel Irwin (Co-inventor) and Prof. Victor Gault (co-inventor).

Peter is a leading diabetes researcher, author, award-winner, and founding head of Ulster’s Diabetes Research Group.
Prof. Peter Flatt, MBE

Sci Comm, Co-Founder

Finbarr is a diabetes therapeutics expert, Irish Endocrine Society President and published peptide researcher.
Prof. Finbarr O’Harte

Sci Comm, Co-Founder

Victor is a diabetes expert, researching gut peptides, patent holder and has won multiple award winner.
Prof. Victor Gault

Sci Comm, Co-Founder

Nigel is an esteemed diabetes researcher with expertise in gut peptides, drug discovery, teaching, patents, and editorial leadership.
Prof. Nigel Irwin

Sci Comm, Co-Founder, Director

Technical Delivery Team

Shaun holds a PhD in antidiabetic reserch and has spent several years in oncology-related preclinical profiling within industry/academia.
Dr. Shaun Sharkey

Principal Scientist (Preclinical)

Nishan is a pharmaceutical consultant with expertise in metabolic disease, clinical translation, and global biotech-pharma R&D leadership.
Dr. Nishan Ramnarain (MD)

Clinical Development Lead

Juanita, PhD, is a Senior R&D Project Manager with expertise in drug discovery, operations, and leading complex pharma-biotech collaborations.
Dr. Juanita Carrey

Senior Project Manager

Our Investors

DBL closed a Seed Round of investment in January 2025, bringing 3 high quality, UK-based investors onto our team, namely DSW Ventures, QUBIS LTD and Clarendon Fund Managers NI. 

Doug, DSW Ventures partner, combines CFO experience and investment expertise across life sciences, med tech, and early-stage companies.
Doug Quinn

Board Observer

Julie, QUBIS Spinout Manager, brings 15+ years’ biotech and commercialisation expertise, supporting life science ventures and investments.
Julie Gormley

Board Observer

Stuart, a Chartered Accountant, is Senior Investment Manager at Clarendon FM, who are investing in high-growth Northern Ireland companies.
Stuart Gaffikin

Board Observer

Subcontracting Partners

DBL have developed lasting relationships with our network of the highest quality, most reliable subcontractors for R&D and wider business activities. 

Manufacturing

Legal

Formulation