Neuren scientist NZ's first Laureate award

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

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