Scientific Consultant for Medicines Discovery Catapult

{
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-COH-09928547",
    "name": "MEDICINES DISCOVERY CATAPULT LIMITED"
  },
  "date": "2025-11-28T12:36:33Z",
  "id": "078062-2025",
  "initiationType": "tender",
  "language": "en",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05eb03",
  "parties": [
    {
      "additionalIdentifiers": [
        {
          "id": "PJPQ-6911-DQYY",
          "scheme": "GB-PPON"
        }
      ],
      "address": {
        "country": "GB",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "locality": "Macclesfield",
        "postalCode": "SK10 4ZF",
        "region": "UKD62",
        "streetAddress": "Block 35g, Mereside Alderley Park"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "procurement@md.catapult.org.uk"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "description": "Public authority - sub-central government",
            "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE"
          }
        ]
      },
      "id": "GB-COH-09928547",
      "identifier": {
        "id": "09928547",
        "scheme": "GB-COH"
      },
      "name": "MEDICINES DISCOVERY CATAPULT LIMITED",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "tag": [
    "tender"
  ],
  "tender": {
    "aboveThreshold": false,
    "description": "Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) is an independent, not-for-profit innovation centre for drug discovery and part of the Catapult Network established by Innovate UK. \nMDC\u0027s vision is to reshape drug discovery for patient benefit by transforming great UK science into better treatments through partnership. It supports drug discovery innovators by making world-class expertise, facilities, complex technologies, and advanced analytics accessible to enable successful medicines discovery.  \nMDC develops pioneering, impactful R\u0026D collaborations across biotech, academia, technology companies, charities, and global pharma. It brings these communities together in active, focused national programmes that target high-risk areas of patient need. \nThis requirement originates from the Partnership Team at Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC), which includes national programmes across neuroscience and infection, virtual R\u0026D, and complex medicine. The team plays a central role in enabling and accelerating UK drug discovery by identifying unmet needs, supporting ecosystem coordination, and helping to navigate the scientific and translational complexities of areas such as diseases of the brain.\nTo fulfil its role effectively, the team must remain consistently informed about recent scientific developments, innovation opportunities, and areas of commercial promise. This enables MDC to identify and shape collaborative initiatives, support investment cases, and build strategies aligned to evolving national and global health priorities.\nThe current emphasis has been on neuroscience, particularly neurodegenerative diseases, mental health, and drug discovery and delivery. Previous work has included:\n\u2022 A landscape mapping exercise to inform the strategy for the Dementia Goals Programme, providing a foundational view of the UK\u0027s capabilities, gaps, and opportunities;\n\u2022 Exploration of emerging scientific trends and innovation gaps within mental health, supporting the work of the Psychiatry Consortium;\n\u2022 Early-stage analysis on cross-cutting opportunities within complex medicine.\nBuilding on this initial work, MDC now seeks to expand the scope and focus of the landscape activity to include:\n\u2022 Deeper insights into priority areas aligned to the Partnership Team\u0027s strategic objectives;\n\u2022 A clearer understanding of challenges such as blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration and the development of novel Central Nervous System drug modalities;\n\u2022 Identification of translational and commercial opportunities across neuroscience and beyond (e.g., infectious diseases).\nMDC requires a consultant to:\n\u2022 Provide ongoing scientific and strategic intelligence relevant to current and future areas of focus and interest such as neuroscience, infection, CNS drug delivery, etc.\n\u2022 Identify translational and commercial opportunities through horizon scanning and landscape analysis in defined scientific areas.\n\u2022 Support development of investment cases and programme design by synthesising internal and external data sources.\n\u2022 Produce materials including presentations, written briefs, dashboards, and updates for internal and external stakeholders.\nDeliverables would be specific for each project, but it is expected that they could include:\n\u2022 Monthly briefings summarising relevant scientific, policy, and/or commercial developments (oral or written).\n\u2022 At least one deep-dive landscape output (e.g., dashboard, short report or slide deck) per quarter, focused on agreed priority themes (e.g., BBB, emerging modalities, patient stratification).\n\u2022 Ad hoc input to internal programme development and stakeholder materials (e.g., funder presentations, project design).\nThe supplier must have a proven track record of delivering high quality technical writing, with strong communication skills.  A minimum of 5 years\u0027 experience in technical or scientific writing, with demonstrable experience in life sciences. \nAccess to proprietary databases to access the relevant datasets useful for the specific projects (including OpenAlex, Europe PMC, PubMed, CrossRef, Dimensions, Lens.org (patents), ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO ICTRP, NICE Evidence). Expertise in the use of AI and language models to automate and classify data retrieval and apply thematic analyses Proven ability to synthesise scientific and commercial insights for strategic use. Previously work in areas relevant to MDC strategic mission.",
    "documents": [
      {
        "datePublished": "2025-11-28T12:36:33Z",
        "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "tenderNotice",
        "format": "text/html",
        "id": "078062-2025",
        "noticeType": "UK4",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078062-2025"
      }
    ],
    "enquiryPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2025-12-12T15:00:00Z"
    },
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05eb03",
    "items": [
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "description": "Research and development services and related consultancy services",
            "id": "73000000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1"
      }
    ],
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "scheme": "UKPGA",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
    },
    "lots": [
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "name": "Quality",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 80,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "name": "Price",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 20,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2026-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
          "maxExtentDate": "2028-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-02-01T00:00:00Z"
        },
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "1",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "Medicines Discovery Catapult will have the option to extend the contract for a further two 12 month periods, dependent on satisfactory performance and work required."
        },
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true
        },
        "value": {
          "amount": 75000,
          "amountGross": 90000,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      }
    ],
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "procurementMethod": "open",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Below threshold - open competition",
    "status": "active",
    "submissionMethodDetails": "https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=a2f7173e-54cc-f011-813a-005056b64545",
    "submissionTerms": {
      "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed"
    },
    "tenderPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2025-12-19T15:00:00Z"
    },
    "title": "Scientific Consultant for Medicines Discovery Catapult",
    "value": {
      "amount": 75000,
      "amountGross": 90000,
      "currency": "GBP"
    }
  }
}