(NU/1433-36) IndigoDX Ltd: Commercialisation of university research through provision of management skills to assist in successful spin-out company creation

1 in 5 adults in the UK suffer from urinary symptoms caused by an overactive bladder (OAB). Symptoms include urgency (a sudden compelling desire to pass urine, which cannot be deferred), increased frequency of voiding (both day and night) and urge incontinence (involuntary leakage accompanied by / immediately preceded by urgency). The Team wishes to establish a spinout company to produce a Dipstick-style test. Our discovery is currently being developed into a simple-to-use diagnostic tool used for (1) regular screening for OAB in adults, at a GP surgery, pharmacy or nursing home, and (2) to assess the effectiveness of treatments (companion diagnostic) and modifying dosing/treatments accordingly. Accurate and early diagnosis will improve treatment outcomes, eliminating the need for patients to have invasive and high-risk surgery-led second-line treatments necessary for advanced-stage disease. Currently there is no competition for a non-invasive biomarker-based test, and new product development activity appears to be very limited, suggesting an opportunity for ‘first mover advantage’ and to establish a standard. We require a driven executive to take this technology forward and build a compelling proposition for investment. The Executive will need to create a robust business model that is acceptable to the founders, develop and deliver pitch materials for investors and establish collaborative research projects. The executive appointed should have an appropriate background, ideally with experience of high tech starts ups, securing seed investment and establishing manufacturing facilities.