By Émer O’Toole, News Editor
The University have awarded a top pharmaceutical industry scientist an honorary degree in recognition of his pioneering work in drug discovery.
Dave Allen, Global Chief Chemist with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) was presented the award at a graduation ceremony in Strathclyde’s Barony Hall.
Professor William Kerr, Associate Deputy Principal (Research and Knowledge Exchange) at the University presented Allen for the award.
He said: “As witnessed over many years, Dave has shown outstanding innovation and leadership in the global pharmaceutical arena – and through internationally-leading scientific endeavours in chemistry and biology, resulting in products for the enhancement of health and quality of life.
Allen, who joined what was then known as Glaxo in the 1980s, currently heads an international team of around 200 scientists and was appointed as GSK’s Global Chief Chemist in 2012.
He also holds the post of Senior Vice-President of the Respiratory Therapy Area with GSK.
Within his respiratory research area, Allen focuses on the creation of new treatments for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which affect 235 million and 65 million people globally, according to the World Health Organisation.
Strathclyde runs a research programme in collaboration with GSK.
In 2009, the University and GSK set up a Postgraduate Doctoral Training Centre together, based within the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry at Strathclyde – with the aim of assisting the company’s employees, working in drug discovery and development in obtaining MPhil and PhD research degrees through their work-based projects.
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