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6 February 2009

Philip Cohen recognised for leading contribution to life sciences in Scotland

a photograph of Sir Philip Cohen

Dundee-based Professor Sir Philip Cohen was last night given the award for Leading Contribution to Life Sciences in Scotland at the Scottish Enterprise Life Sciences Annual Dinner 2009.

Professor Sir Philip Cohen, Director of the Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation Unit and Royal Society Research Professor at the University of Dundee, was recognised for his illustrious career in the life sciences. The award was presented at a ceremony in Edinburgh on Thursday 5th February in front of more than 700 representatives from the life sciences community in Scotland and worldwide.

Rhona Allison, director of Life Sciences at Scottish Enterprise, said: 'Professor Sir Philip Cohen’s award for Leading Individual Contribution to Life Sciences in Scotland is testament to the ongoing success of the entire life sciences industry in Scotland, both individuals and companies.'

'The industry now comprises of over 620 organisations and contributes over £3 billion to the Scottish economy annually. Scotland has established a strong international reputation based on the quality of its work and opportunities for innovation and collaboration remain, giving this sector room to grow further in 2009. Scottish Enterprise and all those involved will continue to work hard to support a joined up environment where such excellence can prosper.'

Professor Sir Philip Cohen, said: 'I am delighted and honoured to receive this Life Sciences award for my contributions to this field. This award also recognises the extremely high standards and quality of work that is carried out at the Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation Unit at the University of Dundee.'

Sir Philip is Director of the Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation Unit, and recently received £10 million funding to set up the SCottish Institute for ceLL Signalling (SCILLS) at the University of Dundee, where he has been appointed as its first Director.

He also founded and is the co-Director of the Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT) at the University of Dundee, which is widely regarded as an exemplary model for the link up between academics and the pharmaceutical industry for which it received a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in 2006. The DSTT is supported by several leading pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline.

In 2008 a range of international life sciences companies - working with Scottish Development International -announced plans to create and safeguard 692 jobs in Scotland.

Notes to Editors

The Nominees for the Scottish Enterprise Scottish Life Sciences Awards 2009 were:

Most promising new life science company in Scotland

  • BioOutsource, Glasgow (winner)
  • D3 Technologies, Glasgow
  • ReactivLab, Glasgow

Leading contribution to Life Sciences in Scotland

  • Alba Bioscience, Edinburgh
  • Charles River Laboratories, Edinburgh (winner)
  • Touch Bionics, Livingston

Leading Individual Contribution to Life Sciences in Scotland

  • Professor Sir Philip Cohen, University of Dundee, Dundee (winner)
  • Professor Andy Porter, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen
  • Dr Ian Pollock Sword, Edinburgh

Scottish Health Innovations Ltd (SHIL) Award for Best Innovation Originating from NHS Scotland

  • Dr Santosh Celestine and Dr David Brennan NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
  • Dr Alastair Cozens, NHS Grampian, Professor Bipinchandra Bhakta, Dr Martin Levesley, University of Leeds (winner)
  • Professor Sandra McRury NHS Highland and Professor Ian Megson, UHI Millennium Institute

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk