---
title: "(NU/1433-30) CAF1 - A robust, easily engineered polymer with applications in synthetic biology: Commercialisation of university research through provision of management skills to assist in successful spin-out company creation"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0334e1"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0334e1"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0334e1.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0334e1.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY"
published: "2022-05-06"
---

# (NU/1433-30) CAF1 - A robust, easily engineered polymer with applications in synthetic biology: Commercialisation of university research through provision of management skills to assist in successful spin-out company creation

Buyer: NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0334e1

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## Summary

The procurement process involves Newcastle University as the buying organisation, focusing on the tender titled "(NU/1433-30) CAF1 - A robust, easily engineered polymer with applications in synthetic biology." This project falls under the business and management consultancy services industry and is located in Newcastle, UK. Currently in the Award stage, this procurement was concluded on 6 May 2022, with active contracts already awarded to KWWK Ltd. The procurement method adopted is a selective procedure, ensuring that interested parties are thoroughly vetted before the tendering process.

This tender presents a valuable opportunity for businesses engaged in consultancy services, particularly those with expertise in commercialising university research and supporting spin-out companies. Our focus is on small to medium enterprises (SMEs) that can bring management skills and innovative strategies to the new venture aimed at CAF1 polymer production for the 2D cell culture market. Companies with a background in biotechnology, business development, or laboratory equipment production would find this project particularly suitable to compete for involvement in the start-up formation and growth.

## Notice

Caf1 is secreted from the bacterium Yersinia pestis to protect it from white blood cells during infection. It is formed from 15 kDa monomers that produce robust, flexible polymers up to 2 um in length. We aim to create a spinout company that will initially produce Caf1 polymers and coated plasticware/microcarriers for the 2D cell culture market, predominantly focussed on laboratory research, expanding into commercial companies looking to scale up cell production. The Newcastle-based company will supply these products directly to customers, and through marketing partners who have established distribution networks. We are looking for a CEO/COO/Chairperson to work alongside Daniel Peters to develop a business plan that has considered the best market strategy for Caf1 in preparation for spinout formation and achieving the necessary fundraising The initial brief of the executive will be to: (1) Work with the existing team to lead in the creation of a viable 5 year business plan; (2) Obtain university approval for the venture; (3) a. Act for the company in the spin-out legal process and address all company formation matters; b. Obtain founder academics' and Newcastle University (including the Head of Company Creation) approval for appointment as CEO or agreed post supporting Daniel Peters c. Provide to the appropriate university all matters necessary for Research England reporting requirements; (4) Leading and work alongside the existing team to secure start up funding (venture capital and other) funding Stage (5) will produce the funds by which the new start-up company can consider employing the executive going forward. It is expected, and the intent of the scheme, that the Executive will remain with the business following the end of the contract period. However, such appointment will be at the discretion of the board and appropriate university and will be subject to confirmation, typically at Stage 4 above

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Caf1 is secreted from the bacterium Yersinia pestis to protect it from white blood cells during infection. It is formed from 15 kDa monomers that produce robust, flexible polymers up to 2 um in length. We aim to create a spinout company that will initially produce Caf1 polymers and coated plasticware/microcarriers for the 2D cell culture market, predominantly focussed on laboratory research, expanding into commercial companies looking to scale up cell production. The Newcastle-based company will supply these products directly to customers, and through marketing partners who have established distribution networks. We are looking for a CEO/COO/Chairperson to work alongside Daniel Peters to develop a business plan that has considered the best market strategy for Caf1 in preparation for spinout formation and achieving the necessary fundraising The initial brief of the executive will be to: (1) Work with the existing team to lead in the creation of a viable 5 year business plan; (2) Obtain university approval for the venture; (3) a. Act for the company in the spin-out legal process and address all company formation matters; b. Obtain founder academics' and Newcastle University (including the Head of Company Creation) approval for appointment as CEO or agreed post supporting Daniel Peters c. Provide to the appropriate university all matters necessary for Research England reporting requirements; (4) Leading and work alongside the existing team to secure start up funding (venture capital and other) funding Stage (5) will produce the funds by which the new start-up company can consider employing the executive going forward. It is expected, and the intent of the scheme, that the Executive will remain with the business following the end of the contract period. However, such appointment will be at the discretion of the board and appropriate university and will be subject to confirmation, typically at Stage 4 above

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011844-2022 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Dynamic |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Restricted procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 6 May 2022 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 11 Apr 2022 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £29,500 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY |
| Additional buyers | DURHAM UNIVERSITY; EUROPEAN UNION; NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWCASTLE; TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY; UNIVERSITY OF BATH ON BEHALF OF THE SETSQUARED; UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND |
| Locality | NEWCASTLE |
| Post town | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Postcode | NE1 7RU |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC43 Tyneside |
| Local authority | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Electoral ward | Monument |
| Westminster constituency | Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | KWWK |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

## Release History

- 6 May 2022 at 12:20 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011844-2022

## Notice URLs

- https://sunderland.ac.uk/
- https://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:016574-2019:TEXT:EN:HTML
- https://www.bath.ac.uk/
- https://www.durham.ac.uk
- https://www.ncl.ac.uk
- https://www.northumbria.ac.uk
- https://www.tees.ac.uk/

## Provenance

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