Almost all of the research in this UoA is officially classified as world-leading or internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
The following academic unit formed the submission to UoA 8:
The case study relates to the landmark discovery and clinical development of Rucaparib, an agent that enhances the activity of DNA-damaging cancer therapies. Annually, >12 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer, whilst about eight million persons die from the disease.
A collaboration was established in 1990 between the School of Chemistry and Newcastle Medical School (and later with pharmaceutical industry partners) that led to the discovery of potent inhibitors of the DNA repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1). This enzyme enables cancer cells to survive drug treatments or radiotherapy. Based on a concept and design of Professors Bernard Golding and Roger Griffin, a series of benzimidazole carboxamides was synthesised in the School of Chemistry, which led to a potent and selective PARP-1 inhibitor (PF-01367338, Rucaparib).
Based on his innovative research in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry at Newcastle University, Professor Bernard Golding has created an SME, NewChem, which provides a bespoke synthetic and analytical service to the pharmaceutical industry. NewChem research has played a major role in providing its partner Shire Pharmaceuticals with potential new drugs for treating a range of therapeutic indications, eg thrombotic cardiovascular disorders, dementias and ADHD.
During its 10-year lifetime, the company has provided > 100 FTE of employment for chemists housed in Newcastle University's School of Chemistry. NewChem provides income and support to the University both through its usage of space and facilities, but also through the training of postgraduate and undergraduate students.
A 1990s Newcastle-led research project to construct the world’s first ever dedicated single-crystal diffraction synchrotron beamline for chemistry and materials science at Daresbury Laboratory SRS, led to an innovative and productive international facility that was widely used in academic and commercial research at that site. It has served as the model for the development of more recent facilities in the UK (Diamond Light Source) and elsewhere.
Results from SRS and the newer facilities have been critically important for the advancement of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and the original Newcastle research has also trained scientists now employed in industry and public service internationally.