Life Sciences Commercialisation Manager Ploughshare Innovations Ltd Candidate Information Pack
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Contents
Page No.
1.
Welcome Message
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2.
About Dstl
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3.
About Ploughshare
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4.
Ploughshare Partnerships
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5.
The Board
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6.
Role Specification
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7.
Person Specification
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Advertisement
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9.
How to Apply
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10.
Timeline
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1. WELCOME MESSAGE Thank you for your interest in Ploughshare Innovations Ltd. Ploughshare Innovations Ltd was incorporated in 2005 as a wholly owned subsidiary of UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) research and development division. Ploughshare Innovations is a technology transfer company that manages the commercial licensing of intellectual property developed by Dstl, headquartered at Porton Down. While Dstl’s responsibility is to bring the best science and technology innovations into the UK’s defence capability, Ploughshare’s brief is precisely the reverse i.e. to commercialise the MOD’s research into non-military markets. Despite its reputation as a clandestine realm of top secret science, the world of military research and development (R&D) is actually responsible for many of the everyday technologies that we take for granted; the mobile phone, GPS, Teflon and superglue, to name but a few. But when it comes to commercialising intellectual property (IP) from military research, a sensitive touch is required to get the best value for taxpayers’ money while ensuring no military secrets are spilled. In the UK, that responsibility lies with Ploughshare Innovations Ltd. Our goal is to provide clients with a competitive edge by lowering technology risk, reducing R&D costs, speeding time to market and so maximizing business opportunities. Ploughshare Innovations Ltd provide leading edge, application focused technology, backed with the assurance of advanced IP support and protection. Ploughshare Innovations Ltd (hereafter “the Company”) is now searching for an experienced, entrepreneurial Life Sciences Commercialisation Manager to work with innovators and ensure the commercial value of cutting-edge research is fully exploited. The ability to understand life sciences markets and deliver commercial results through the development of relevant partnerships will be crucial in the role. This is a truly exciting and unique role and we look forward to receiving your application.
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2. About Dstl The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) maximises the impact of science and technology for the defence and security of the UK. It supplies sensitive and specialist Science and Technology services for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and wider government, and leads and undertakes those activities that it would be inappropriate to carry out in the private sector in technology markets that include Cyber Security, Defence and Security, Detection and Diagnostics, Electro Optics, Human ID and Trauma Science. Dstl is a trading fund of the MOD and is run on commercial lines. It has a turnover of some £600 million per year much of which is spent in industry and academia. Dstl is the largest scientific organisation within government, with around 3,500 scientists, technologists and engineers at its three main sites: Porton Down, near Salisbury, Portsdown West, near Portsmouth, and Fort Halstead, near Sevenoaks.
3. ABOUT PLOUGHSHARE Ploughshare Innovations Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dstl with its own independent board and is charged with maximising the commercial return across a range of technology markets on behalf of Dstl. Since its inception, the company has evaluated over 400 IP ideas originating from Dstl and entered in to some 110 exploitation arrangements and created 11 spin-out companies. With a core staff of 12 personnel, Ploughshare Innovations Ltd is committed to:
The UK Government and supporting the growth agenda through wealth and job creation driven by licensing and spin-outs, the societal impact of making new technologies available and potential tax revenue gains;
The UK MOD through reputational enhancement and availability of Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) technology for repurchase through a high quality, efficient and easy to use service;:
Provide a coherent business voice to inform Dstl of its emerging intellectual property, screen the IP for commercial value, market and develop the IP where necessary to get technologies to a de-risked point where private sector organisations are willing to invest to close commercial exploitation arrangements such as licences and partnerships with businesses.
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4. PLOUGHSHARE PARTNERSHIPS As well as licensing technology, the company has, where appropriate, established new businesses (‘Spin-Outs’) as a highly effective route to market. It has excellent and essential relationships with:
Licensees -industrial players with existing routes to market for our technology
Spin-outs – new ventures established to develop the Company’s technology and take it to market
Venture capital and private equity investors – providing the finance to invest in the company’s technology and new ventures
Dstl - as the Company’s main source of new technology and innovation and its key development partner
Other sources of IP – where their IP adds value and enhances the core technology and innovation provided by Dstl
Ploughshare Innovations in taking this approach it offers the potential to:
Reduce risk
Reduce cost
Reduce time
Maximise opportunity
For more information about the company’s business overview, please refer to: http://www.ploughshareinnovations.com/about-us
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5. THE BOARD The Company has its own independent board which sets overall objectives and direction, comprising: Piers White MBE is Chair of the Board. Piers spent 25 years in Financial Services with Barclays, Flemings and most recently Bank Insinger de Beaufort NV where he was UK Chief Executive until the sale to BNP Paribas in 2008.He brings more than 10 years’ experience as a Non-Executive Director within technology and commercially-orientated Public Sector organisations including Ordnance Survey and Nominet.
Jenni Henderson has 20 years’ experience of delivering public sector funded scientific research and development. As the Operations Director at Dstl, Jenni is responsible for delivery of Dstl’s programmes through the 12 operating departments; they work with the supply chain to deliver a range of scientific, technical and analytic products to customers, ranging from support for Urgent Operational Requirements in Afghanistan through to policy advice and analysis for senior defence personnel.
Mark Alexander is the Finance Director at Dstl, bringing more than 25 years’ experience of financial management in the public and private sectors. Mark has held senior roles at public and private organisations that include Ordnance Survey, Bovis Lend Lease, Laing Rail and AEA Technology.
Dame Wendy Hall is Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton and Dean of the Faculty of Physical and Applied Sciences. Dame Wendy was one of the first computer scientists to undertake serious research in multimedia and hypermedia and has been at its forefront ever since. Dame Wendy co-founded the Web Science Research Initiative in 2006 and is currently the Managing Director of the Web Science Trust. She became a Dame Commander of the British Empire in the 2009 UK New Year's Honours list, and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in June 2009.
Robert Drummond has had a long association with software and technology and has played a major role in the development of the venture capital industry in the UK and EU. For many years, he was a private equity and venture capital executive leading major organisations that include Nat West Ventures and Chrysalis VCT. Robert has been at the forefront of setting standards, professionalising and mounting successful initiatives that promote public sector understanding of the value of venture capital in the community. He is currently advising on the investment of European funds in the North East and is the Chairman of Acta SPA, an Italian company in the catalyst business, which achieved a London AIM listing in 2005. 6
James Kirby is the CEO at Ploughshare, bringing some 30 years' experience in leading technology companies in the private and public sectors. James has spent the last decade specialising in technology ventures and start-ups, where he has led 2 start-ups to successful exit.
Steve Callister is the COO at Ploughshare with over 20 years' experience of technical, business development and leadership roles within science & technology driven organisations. Steve is also a Board member at many of the Ploughshare spin-outs.
As a group of people Ploughshare’s board members are curious, creative and passionate about innovation, but at the same time focused on solutions. For additional information, please refer to:
http://www.ploughshareinnovations.com/news-and-events/new-chairman-for-dstlstechnology-transfer-company
https://www.dstl.gov.uk/dstlboard
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6. ROLE SPECIFICATION Title: Life Sciences Commercialisation Manager Job Purpose: This is a role, within the team at Ploughshare Innovations Ltd, whose purpose is to identify and commercialise life sciences technologies arising from Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (Dstl), and other organisations as directed, 1. by licensing 2. by creating spin-out companies Reporting to: Vice President (Commercialisation) Main Duties and Responsibilities 1. Work effectively and flexibly as part of the Ploughshare team, together with Ploughshare and Dstl colleagues. 2. Collaborate with Dstl scientists and patent agents to identify opportunities for licensing or spin-outs which meet Ploughshare’s commercialisation criteria. 3. Document commercialisation opportunities using Ploughshare’s systems and standards. 4. Participate in commercialisation management reviews, during which decisions will be taken as to whether to commercialise each opportunity. 5. Develop potential applications for innovative biomedical products and services. 6. Undertake market research to establish addressable market sizes by sector and geography. 7. Create and document Value Propositions, Licensing Strategies, spin-out Business Plans. 8. Negotiate licensing deals, as authorised by the Vice President (Commercialisation). Ensure that all documentation is in place and appropriately authorised. 9. Participate as required in the formation and management of spin-outs. 10. Represent Ploughshare Innovations Ltd as required (at conferences, meetings, etc.). 11. Maximise value creation for Ploughshare and Dstl, enabling commercialisation to occur as soon as possible so as to not miss the market window. 12. Contribute to the success of Ploughshare and help it continuously to improve by adopting best practice. Location: The post holder will use the Ploughshare main office as a primary base and attend company and team meetings at this location. The post holder will need to travel, both nationally and internationally, which will require the ability to work remotely. Authorised working from home may be used to improve efficiency, so long as it remains the exception rather than the norm.
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Ploughshare is intimately linked with Dstl at Porton Down, Portsdown West and Fort Halstead. Ploughshare has facilities within Porton Down and may well locate its main office near there. Security Clearance: The post holder will need to hold appropriate security clearance and will be expected to work as required in each of Dstl’s sites. Bonus Scheme: The post holder will be eligible for the Company Bonus Scheme as defined from time to time, in accordance with the individual’s Contract of Employment. The principles are that bonus incentives will be based upon Company performance, so long as the employee is meeting their personal objectives. Team working is vital to ensure success.
7. PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential requirements: Good first degree in a life sciences subject; MBA qualification also desirable. Proven ability to translate scientific research in the life sciences into commercial outcomes; a minimum of five years’ relevant commercial experience required. Experience of generating commercial value from research including development of value propositions, legal and commercial structures such as licensing and spin-outs. Project management experience. Experience of negotiating and concluding agreements with major businesses. Ability to identify new market opportunities through robust market research that is aligned with corporate standards and objectives. Strong interpersonal, client relationship and team building skills. Knowledge of and credibility with a wide range of stakeholders. Desire to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment. Willingness and ability to travel frequently and to work flexibly. Appropriate conduct and probity, including understanding of the sensitivities involved in commercialising defence-related research.
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ADVERT Ploughshare Innovations Ltd Life Sciences Commercialisation Manager Salary band: £40,000 - £65,000 Ploughshare Innovations Ltd converts ‘swords into ploughshares’, converting research commissioned by the military into civilian applications. We work at the commercial edge of technologies developed by the Ministry of Defence, predicting and responding to the fast moving markets in which our clients operate, building collaborative partnerships. The capabilities of over 3,500 scientists and a budget exceeding £600 million per year generate exciting ideas with multiple potential uses beyond the MOD. Spin-outs and licences established by Ploughshare since it was founded in 2005 range from new medical and diagnostic products to world-leading communication and surveillance technologies to revolutionary new materials. To help us build on the existing success of the company, we require a Life Sciences Commercialisation Manager with a proven track-record in working with researchers to bring their innovations to commercial markets, through spin-outs, licensing and other agreements. If appointed you will identify and research potential markets for exciting new technology, negotiate and oversee licensing agreements, set up and develop spin-outs and promote the commercialisation agenda in Dstl (the MOD’s research agency). To succeed you will need to build effective cross-disciplinary teams and strong relationships with commercial partners. In this post you will enable world-class life sciences research groups to exploit their innovations as widely as possible and so benefit the UK economy. Above all, you will have both a genuine passion for working with many of Britain’s best researchers and the knowledge and skills to help turn their discoveries into attractive commercial propositions. The post will be based at Ploughshare Innovations Ltd’s main office at Porton Down, Wiltshire. The postholder will need to travel frequently both nationally and internationally. For further information, please visit www.rockpools.com For an informal and confidential discussion, speak to our advising consultants at Rockpools: David Thomas on 020 31373449 or 07967 172 903 or Janice Dean on 07793 606015. Closing date: 20th April 2015
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8. HOW TO APPLY To submit application, go to www.rockpools.com/opportunities For an information pack and an informal and confidential conversation, call our advising consultants:
David Thomas on 020 31373449 /07967 172 903 or
Janice Dean on 07793 606015.
You will be required to submit a CV and brief /covering letter that provides evidence of the competencies outlined in the Person Specification. You will also be asked to complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. Reasonable expenses for unavoidable travel costs in connection with attending interviews will be reimbursed.
Diversity policy Ploughshare is committed to providing equal opportunities for all, irrespective of race, age, disability, gender, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, transgender and working patterns. This appointment will be conducted in line with the Nolan principles for public appointments.
9. TIMELINE Applicants should note the key dates when you may be required to submit information and/or participate in assessment, subject to progression at each stage.
Closing date for applications is 20th April 2015
Preliminary long list interviews will be held between 27th April 2015 and 8th May 2015
For candidates who are shortlisted following the preliminary interviews, there will be an opportunity to visit Dstl between 18th May 2015 and 22nd May 2015
Final Panel interviews will convene in week commencing 26th May 2015
The dates given for the long list and final panel interviews are indicative and subject to change. Venues for all interview stages are to be confirmed but are likely to be in central London. Telephone, video conference and Skype facilities are also available if necessary.
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THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC LIFE
Selflessness: Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends. Integrity: Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Integrity - holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity: In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
Accountability: Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness: Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Honesty: Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
Leadership: Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
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