Nexxus Scotland

Crusading Spirit Receives OBE

09 January 2007

Professor Moira Brown of Glasgow based Crusade Laboratories has been awarded an OBE for services to healthcare in the New Year's Honours List.  

A virologist, Professor Brown's research career began some 30 years ago when she began research on herpes viruses and in the last 10 years exploring the possibility of using herpes simplex virus (HSV) to destroy cancer cells.   One of the undoubted highlights of her career was the culmination of her hard work in the authorisation of her herpes treatment for testing on humans.   In 1997, a 21 year old patient diagnosed with a brain tumour and with a life expectation of only a few months, became the first ever human to receive an injection of the live virus.   He is still alive.   This type of successful translation of research from the bench to the patient is something which gives Professor Brown particular satisfaction and keeps her looking for more and better ways to utilise the technology - on which she has long been an acknowledged expert - in cancer therapy.

As Chief Scientist and Director of Crusade Laboratories at the Southern General Hospital, Professor Brown is delighted at the recognition of Crusade's work and efforts in translational medicine which she feels is reflected in her personal award of OBE.   "There is still a lot we hope to achieve at Crusade," she said.   "Our plans for the future include driving forward our clinical trials, securing a European licence for our first product and a partnership with an established pharmaceutical company."  

Kate Rowley, Nexxus, the west of Scotland bioscience network said : "Professor Brown's dedication is an inspiration to life scientists everywhere and not only is she a credit to the West of Scotland life science industry but with all that she has achieved in both academia and industry, she is a fantastic role model for women thinking of embarking on a career in life science too." 

Professor Brown who was born in Greenock, graduated from Queen's University Belfast and undertook her PhD at the University of Glasgow.   As an adult she lived for many years in Kirklee, Glasgow, before moving out into to the country near Killearn.   In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband Alasdair, walking her beagles and reading PD James and Ian Rankin novels.

Crusade Laboratories, formed in 1999, is a spin-out from the University of Glasgow and is a life sciences company focused on a range of products based upon viruses and their applications in relation to cancer treatment.  

For further information contact :-

Jan Clark, Marketing Communications Officer, Nexxus (E: j.clark@nexxusscotland.com, T:  0141 330 1987) or

Professor Moira Brown, Chief Scientist and Director, Crusade Laboratories (E: smbrown@crusadelabs.co.uk, T : 01355 239166)

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