What is a Fractional CSO (Chief Scientific Officer)?
A Fractional Chief Scientific Officer is an experienced scientific executive who works part-time across multiple organisations, providing R&D leadership for biotech, pharma, deep-tech, and research-intensive companies.
The Fractional CSO Role
Fractional CSOs typically work 1-3 days per week, providing senior scientific leadership for companies developing research-based products without the £250-400k cost of a permanent CSO.
Key CSO Responsibilities
Scientific Strategy: Research programme direction and prioritisation
Clinical Development: Trial design, oversight, and regulatory submissions
Regulatory Affairs: MHRA, EMA, and FDA interaction and strategy
IP Strategy: Patent portfolio development and commercialisation
Scientific Advisory: SAB establishment, recruitment, and governance
Who Needs a Fractional CSO?
Biotech companies at pre-clinical or early clinical development stages
Pharma spin-outs needing scientific credibility and governance
Deep-tech companies with complex R&D programmes
Academic spin-outs commercialising university research
