University’s science research hailed as leading the world

City institution is most influential for drugs work, says international survey

Dundee University is the world’s most influential centre for research into new drugs, according to a major new survey.

It was one of only two UK institutions to make the top 10, compiled by Clarivate Analytics for its annual State of Innovation report and came ahead of world-renowned names such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Berkeley University in California.

The report looks at innovation across 12 sectors, including biotechnology, aerospace and defence, food, information technology and pharmaceuticals.

It ranks Dundee as the most influential scientific research institution in pharmaceuticals between 2006 and 2016.

Edinburgh University is the only other UK representative in the top 10.

Research at Dundee’s School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine is having a significant impact on research into therapeutic areas including cancer, arthritis, diabetes, lupus, hypertension and Parkinson’s disease.

The university’s Drug Discovery Unit works with partners to translate biology research into new treatments.

Data for the State of Innovation was compiled by indexing more than 18,000 journals, as well as proceedings papers, book chapters and other materials, plus information on more than 71 million patents.

University principal and vicechancellor Professor Sir Pete Downes said: “This report demonstrates research at Dundee University has had a transformational impact around the world over the past decade.

“From fundamental research into the world’s most devastating medical conditions through to the development of new treatments and on to clinical trials of these drugs and other therapies, Dundee is at the vanguard of the global battle against disease.

“To be named as the world’s most influential pharmaceuticals research institution, ahead of some of the most prestigious international universities, shows just how vital and leading-edge the work being carried out here is.”

The State of Innovation showcases some of the latest inventions from around the world and looks on trends in the top 12 industries.

Those industries reveal interesting new areas of innovation.

Jay Nadler, chief executive officer of Clarivate Analytics, said: “This year’s report offers plenty of surprises and insights for anyone interested in innovation, leadership or strategy.

“There are few aspects of our everyday lives that aren’t touched by the innovations featured in this report, innovations developed to address today’s global challenges and help provide tomorrow’s solutions.”

Picture: Alan Richardson. Professor Ian Gilbert, left, and Dr Kevin Read at work in Dundee University, which has been hailed as the most influential in the world for its scientific research.