Neuren scientist receives NZ’s first Laureate award for scientific excellence
Neuren Pharmaceuticals (ASX: NEU) today announced that Professor Margaret Brimble, head of medicinal chemistry at the
Company and researcher at the University of Auckland, is the first New Zealander to receive a Laureate award for
scientific excellence from the L’Oréal-United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for
Women in Science Awards for her research on the synthesis of biologically active natural products that provide new lead
compounds in the development of drugs.
The L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Awards undergoes a complex selection process whereby Laureates and Fellowships
are selected from the world’s five major regions: Africa, Latin America, North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe.
Outstanding candidates are then assessed by a jury panel led by Günter Blobel, a 1999 Nobel Prize winner in Medicine.
Five Laureates and 15 Fellowships are chosen based on their scientific achievements. Each Laureate acquires their award
in Paris at the UNSECO awards ceremony accompanied by a payment of US$100,000.
The annual L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Awards aims to recognise and encourage female scientists who are to date,
substantially discreet in the biotechnology industry. The awards are also designed to inspire new scientific professions
and to promote outstanding results in scientific research.
“I am extremely honoured to receive this award which reflects not only the work I have been involved in, but also the
contribution made by my research students at the University of Auckland,” stated Professor Brimble. “I hope this award
will serve to stimulate added interest in science amongst young women of New Zealand, gain recognition for scientific
excellence in our country and close the gender gap that exists in this rewarding field.”
Professor Brimble holds the Chair of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Auckland. Her research mainly
focuses on therapeutic areas such as treatments for cancer, cardiovascular disease, peptic ulcer disease, anti-fungal
agents and Alzheimer’s disease.
Mr David Clarke, Chief Executive Officer of Neuren said: “This is a fantastic endorsement of the calibre of the
scientists we have working on our compounds. Margaret designed two of our lead compounds, NNZ-2566 and NNZ-2591. On
behalf of the Board, I would like to congratulate her on her outstanding achievement.”
About Neuren Pharmaceuticals
Neuren Pharmaceuticals (ASX: NEU) is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics in the fields of brain
injury and diseases and metabolic disorders. The Neuren portfolio consists of six product families, targeting markets
with large unmet needs and limited competition. Neuren has three lead candidates, Glypromate® and NNZ-2566, presently in
clinical trials to treat a range of acute neurological conditions, and NNZ-2591 in preclinical development for
Parkinson’s and other chronic conditions. Neuren has commercial and development partnerships, including with the US Army
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Metabolic Pharmaceuticals, UCLA Medical Center and the National Trauma Research
Institute in Melbourne.
For more information, please visit Neuren’s website at www.neurenpharma.com
ENDS