Top scientist Patterson to retire
TOP scientist and north west businessman Dr John Patterson is to retire from his main board role at AstraZeneca, the international pharmaceutical company.
Dr Patterson, 61, who trained at the University of Manchester, will leave his role of executive director of development in March next year. He will be succeeded by Swede Anders Ekblom, who is currently in charge of global clinical development for the company.
Dr Patterson, who was awarded the CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2007, has been a leading light in the pharmaceutical sector for more than 30 years.
He has spent the majority of his career in the north west, operating out of Alderley Park, AstraZeneca’s giant research and development base near Alderley Edge.
Dr Patterson began his career in industry with ICI in 1975, where he helped pioneer the breast cancer treatment tamoxifen.
He became a main board member of AstraZeneca – created 10 years ago by the merger of UK company Zeneca Pharmaceuticals with Swedish group Astra – in 2004.
The company’s chief executive David Brennan said today: “John has made an important and lasting contribution to the business over the course of his career with AZ.
“Under his leadership, the productivity and efficiency of AstraZeneca’s drug development has improved significantly; we now have the largest pipeline in our history and a clear focus on what is required top deliver it.”
