17 November 2005

Queen's Anniversary Prize for Dundee

The University of Dundee has won a prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher Education for its work in drug discovery.

The announcement was made by the Founder and Chairman of the Royal Anniversary Trust Mr Robin Gill CVO last night (17 November) at a ceremony at St James's Palace attended by the Principal Sir Alan Langlands, and Professor Sir Philip Cohen and Professor Peter Downes, both of the University's School of Life Sciences.

The award recognises the work of the Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT) - a unique consortium bringing together the research expertise of 12 research teams, based in the School of Life Sciences and its associated Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation Unit, with six leading rivals from the pharmaceutical industry to drive the development of new drugs combating major diseases including cancer and diabetes.

University Principal Sir Alan Langlands: "We are honoured that the work of our life scientists in this important area has been recognised with such a prestigious award. The DSTT is a unique, extraordinary and highly successful operation which is enabling the discovery of new drugs to treat major global diseases. It is a great tribute to the drive and vision of Philip Cohen, Peter Downes and other leading scientists, that the DSTT has gone from strength to strength in spite of the complexities, not only of the science, but of the international business environment in which it operates."

Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Ruth Kelly said,

"I would like to congratulate the winners of The Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education. The breadth of their achievement is an outstanding testament to the remarkable work being done by universities and colleges in the UK. They clearly demonstrate that we can be proud of our educational institutions and of the expertise and commitment to excellence of those who teach in them.'

Sceptics of the DSTT project called it a "test tube dream" - the notion of getting six major rivals, all world leading drug companies, to put aside their competitive instincts and share basic research in the quest to develop new drugs. But the University of Dundee's unique concentration of bio-expertise, giving one-stop access to drug targets in almost every major disease has proved a magnetic attraction; and the driving entrepreneurial vision of the two leading scientists, Cohen and Downes, together with the University's technology transfer experts, overcame the contractual complexities to clinch a deal which has accelerated the process of drug discovery and been hailed as a first class example of the knowledge economy in action.

The consortium was recognised by the Department of Trade and Industry last year as a model of best practice in technology transfer and has directly injected well over £23 million directly into the local economy since it began in 1998. Now with a staff of 35 and a further 150 working in associated units, the DSTT is one of the largest research collaborations between the pharmaceutical industry and a UK research institution. Its presence in Dundee has also been instrumental in stimulating biotech start ups and attracting other international companies.

Co-director of the DSTT, Professor Peter Downes said: "Scientists at the DSTT are no strangers to international awards but The Queen's Anniversary Prize is a particular honour and one of which we - and all our partners in the consortium - feel immensely proud.

"The Division of Signal Transduction Therapy has enhanced drug discovery programmes against diabetes, cancer and inflammatory diseases contributing to the research and development pipelines of several of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies.

"It has stimulated biotechnology in the region by training scientists with a knowledge of the needs of the commercial sector. Several of these staff helped to establish Upstate Inc., a company selling specialised reagents to the pharmaceutical industry, which was recently acquired by the Serologicals Corporation for $205 million.

"The Queen's Anniversary Prize acknowledges Dundee's success as a global player in signal transduction research and its innovative approach to knowledge transfer. More than anything it is recognition for the efforts, dedication and commitment of all of the staff of the Division of Signal Transduction Therapy."

The Queen's Anniversary Prizes are awarded biennially to institutions of higher and further education for work of exceptional quality and of broad benefit either nationally or internationally. They form part of the honours system and constitute the highest honour in UK higher and further education. The awards will be presented by The Queen at Buckingham Palace in February 2006.

Robin Gill, Founder and Chairman of the Royal Anniversary Trust, which administers The Queen's Anniversary Prizes, commented, "The aim of the prizes is not just to focus public attention on the magnificent work that goes on in our universities and colleges but also to forge links between universities, colleges and business, thereby making a significant contribution to our national economy.

"The Trustees wish all of the Prizewinners the best of good fortune in developing the wonderful work they are doing, bringing further benefit to their students, academic and research staff and the nation."

NOTES TO EDITORS

• This is the second time the University of Dundee has won the Queen's Anniversary Prize. The first was in 1998/99 when the pioneering work of Professor Sir Alfred Cuschieri and his team in the field of keyhole surgery was recognised.
• The MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit is widely recognised as one of the world's leading centres studying the role of protein phosphorylation in cell regulation and human disease. It is best known for its research on Type II diabetes and researchers in the Unit have discovered the major biochemical pathways by which the hormone insulin exerts its effects in humans. It is also recognised for its innovative partnerships with industry.
• The Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education sit alongside the Queen's Awards for Industry in the nation's honours system. However the Prizes are administered by an independent charitable trust: The Royal Anniversary Trust.
• The Prizes were first awarded in 1994 and originated as a result of the commemorations for the Fortieth Anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne.
• Including those announced on 17 November, 129 prizes have been awarded in total over the course of the six rounds.

More information about The Queen's Anniversary Prizes and The Royal

Anniversary Trust can be found on the website: http://www.royalanniversarytrust.org.uk

For more information on the prizes please contact: Hugh Rickard (Chief Executive of The Royal Anniversary Trust)
mobile: 07808 862802
office: 020 7904 0751
email: info@royalanniversarytrust.org.uk

or

Hilary McNally
Press Office
University of Dundee
01382 344021
h.mcnally@dundee.ac.uk