The International Union of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) have announced that Professor Michael Spedding is to receive its Lifetime Achievement Award. Professor Spedding will receive the award and deliver the Lifetime Achievement Lecture at the 20th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (WCP2026) in Melbourne/Narrm, Australia. The lecture will take place on Tuesday, 14 July 2026.
The announcement on LinkedIn:
Professor Spedding is recognised as one of the 150 most cited researchers in France (2013–2020, Clarivate, all disciplines) and has authored over 230 scientific papers. He also holds more than 20 patents, and has advanced approximately 40 compounds into formal preclinical research, 11 into clinical development, and one to market, contributing to three additional marketed drugs. Having worked on research review committees such as Merrell Dow, Syntex, and Servier for 35 years, he has extensive insight into the processes by which drugs succeed or fail.
Professor Spedding has been a member of the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) since 1975. In 2005, he was awarded a Fellowship, followed by an Honorary Fellowship in 2017 for his sustained contributions to pharmacological research in academia and industry, and his leadership roles at IUPHAR. These leadership roles include serving as Chairman of NC-IUPHAR, and Secretary-General of IUPHAR from 2014–2024.
Since January 2024, Professor Spedding has been the BPS's Elected Trustee of Industry, chairing the Society's Industry Subcommittee and representing the interests of industry members in the BPS's Council. In 2024, the BPS awarded the WDM Paton Historical Research Fund to Professor Spedding and his company, Spedding Research Solutions.
In March 2026, Professor Spedding delivered a free BPS Live webinar, where he shared how he has achieved many successes in his career while also maintaining a balanced life. The webinar, titled “Managing Creativity and Discovery in Pharma and University with an Example from Motor Neuron Disease”, is free to watch on the BPS YouTube channel.
The BPS congratulates Professor Michael Spedding on a fantastic career so far, and looks forward to continue working with him in the years to come!
Find out more about the 20th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (WCP2026) and register for the conference now.
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