Co-Founder, next generation therapeutics for Parkinson's (Open Application)

Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity to join as a Founder in Residence in Pharma, working full-time to establish a groundbreaking company from the ground up. Partnering with DSV and a fellow Founder in Residence, you will develop next-generation therapies that address the root causes of Parkinson’s disease, aiming to halt or even reverse disease progression.

Once incorporated, the venture will receive pre-seed investment from DSV, with you and your co-founders retaining a majority equity stake. DSV will continue to provide extensive support post-spinout to ensure the venture’s success.

The role begins remotely, with potential relocation upon incorporation of the company.

The Opportunity: Rethinking Parkinson’s Therapeutics

With over 6 million people affected globally today—and projections reaching 12 million by 2040—the need for new approaches to Parkinson’s treatment has never been more urgent. Current therapies only manage symptoms, offering no intervention to slow or halt disease progression. Promising preclinical breakthroughs often fail in clinical trials, constrained by toxicity or limited efficacy.

In collaboration with Parkinson’s UK, we aim to target the disease at its core by focusing on master homeostatic regulators capable of addressing multiple impaired pathways simultaneously. These next-generation therapies will leverage precise, multi-pathway approaches to potentially change the disease course and transform patient lives.

Our Approach

Using an outcomes-driven methodology, we are mapping the disease backwards to identify and target high-level therapeutic nodes. This approach will enable us to develop curative solutions by addressing Parkinson’s complex pathology, including oxidative stress, autophagy impairment, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation.

Who Should Apply

Ideal candidates will possess a mix of the following:

• PhD or equivalent industry expertise in neuroscience or related fields.
• Deep understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson’s, at the cellular and molecular levels.
• Broad knowledge of therapeutic development processes in biotech or pharma industries.
• Experience in building partnerships, managing clinical trials, and navigating regulatory landscapes.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and scale technologies from concept to proof-of-concept.
• Fundraising experience with early-stage investors or venture capital firms.
• Leadership experience in high-growth enterprises or C-suite roles in biotech or pharma.

We value a combination of technical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and commercial acumen.

What We Offer

By joining DSV, you’ll gain:

• Funding: Up to £250,000 in pre-seed investment to launch the venture.
• Income Security: £4,166 per month as a consultancy fee until the company is incorporated.
• Equity Ownership: A majority stake shared with your co-founders.
• Expert Support: Access to DSV’s tools, resources, and network of advisors.
• Ongoing Assistance: Post-spinout guidance for fundraising, partnerships, recruitment, and more.
• Collaborative Community: Join a network of like-minded founders tackling global challenges.

About DSV

Deep Science Ventures creates innovative, science-driven companies designed to solve humanity’s most pressing challenges. Operating across Pharmaceuticals, Climate, Agriculture, and Computation, we partner with leading institutions to develop high-impact ventures from scratch.

Join us to pioneer the future of Parkinson’s disease treatment. Apply now to express your interest in this transformative opportunity.