Leading University of Ulster scientist, Professor John Callan has been appointed as the first holder of the prestigious Norbrook Chair in Pharmaceutical Science.
Internationally-renowned pharmaceuticals company, Norbrook Laboratories has partnered with the University of Ulster to establish the endowed Chair with a £1 million donation.
This high-profile appointment will establish the Norbrook Laboratories Professorship within the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University’s Coleraine campus and will directly contribute to the University’s Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, which is ranked top for research power by the UK Research Assessment Exercise, 2008.
Over the course of five years, Professor Callan will provide research leadership, establish internationally competitive agenda-setting research at Ulster and extend the University's focused research portfolio in pharmaceutical science.
A native of Strabane, Professor Callan has built a distinguished career in pharmaceutical science, becoming a respected researcher and author in the field.
The partnership with the Newry-based pharmaceuticals firm, founded by the Rt Hon The Lord Ballyedmond, will focus on the development of new targeted therapies for the treatment of disease.
Commenting on his appointment Professor Callan said: “ I am delighted to be appointed to the inaugural Norbrook Chair in Pharmaceutical Science and look forward to working closely with this leading pharmaceutical company on developing novel approaches for the delivery and activation of drugs in difficult to access regions of the body.”
Professor The Hon. James Haughey, Director, Norbrook and Visiting Professor at the University of Ulster, welcomed the appointment of Professor Callan and said that the partnership was an important step for pharmaceutical sciences not just in Northern Ireland but globally.
"Norbrook’s Research and Development is at the cutting edge of innovation with a substantial number of scientists, some internationally recognised for their novel research. We are looking forward to working with Professor Callan and to the mutual benefit of Norbrook and the University of Ulster.”
University of Ulster Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Barnett said: “I am delighted to have this opportunity to publicly thank Norbrook Laboratories and their founder and chairman Lord Ballyedmond for funding this prestigious chair.
“This academic-industry partnership is further enhanced by the fact that the company’s current director, Professor The Hon. James Haughey is a visiting professor at the University of Ulster.
“The pharmaceutical industry is key to Northern Ireland’s future success and Norbrook Laboratories are clear leaders in this area.
“The University of Ulster looks forward to working with Norbrook to undertake pioneering research which will lead to innovative, new product development.”
University of Ulster Vice Chancellor, Professor Richard Barnett, Norbrook Chair in Pharmaceutical Science Professor John Callan and Norbrook Laboratories Director, Professor The Hon. James Haughey.