Scientists scoop global accolades
Four Kent research chemists who did groundbreaking work on a new HIV medicine have been given world recognition by becoming Heroes of Chemistry.
The four - who all worked at Pfizer's European research and development headquarters at Sandwich at the time of their work - were the only non-Americans to get the annual accolades from the American Chemical Society.
There were 25 scientists inducted into the Heroes of Chemistry hall of fame this year as a mark of their work in various fields of chemistry and chemical engineering leading to successful innovation and development of commercial products.
The Pfizer team - presented accolades at an event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - were responsible for the Celsentri (maraviroc) treatment, which is the first new oral class of HIV medicines developed in the last ten years.
They are Tony Wood, 42, head of discovery chemistry, scientist Duncan Armour, 40, research project leader Blanda Stammen, and David Price, 37, director of chemistry, who is now based at Pfizer Groton Laboratories in the United States. The other three are still based at Sandwich.
Scientists at Pfizer have spent the last ten years developing leading-edge science and technology to produce a new treatment for HIV. Maraviroc was discovered at Sandwich in June 2000 and was granted regulatory approval in Europe and the US in 2007.
Dr Annette Doherty, Research Site Head and Site Leader, Pfizer Sandwich Laboratories, said: "Maraviroc is Pfizer's pioneering contribution to the fight against HIV and AIDS. It's research and development represents cutting edge science and is a significant innovation in the treatment of HIV infection."
The American Chemical Society, was founded in 1876, and is the world's largest scientific society with more than 160,000 members. Its Heroes of Chemistry program was started in 1996.
Source: Kentnews.co.uk
