The University of Southampton have developed a unique DNA based therapeutic to activate NK cells against cancer. The therapeutic is delivered intramuscularly in combination with DNA encoding the potent immune stimulating cytokine IL-15.

The objective is for an Executive to jointly work with the team to bring the opportunity towards and ultimately achieve launch of a new spinout company.

Newcastle, Sunderland, Northumbria, Durham, Teesside universities together with the University of Bath on

behalf of the SETsquared Partnership (the Enterprise collaboration of the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter,

Southampton and Surrey) and any other HE Institution that wishes to join this DPS, as detailed in the Office for Students Register, https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/the-register/the-ofs-register/ will engage suitably qualified and experienced executives through the DPS as and when required over the DPS period.

The specific requirements will be detailed in each individual further competition. The typical brief of an executive will be to:

(a) Produce a viable business plan;

(b) Obtain university approval for the venture;

(c) Act for the company in the spin-out legal process and address all company formation matters;

(d) Provide to the appropriate university all matters necessary for Research England and ESIF reporting

requirements;

(e) Secure (venture capital and/or other) funding in accordance with the business plan.

This will be a cyclical process throughout the entire Research England, and potential ESIF project along with any additional funding streams.