RSC award goes to Organon for groundbreaking work

The Royal Society of Chemistry Malcolm Campbell Memorial Prize 2007 has been awarded to a team of Organon researchers in Newhouse, Scotland, for its groundbreaking work on the new anaesthesia drug sugammadex. 

The new anaesthesia drug is designed to rapidly reverse the effects of certain muscle relaxants administered to patients before surgery, allowing the anaesthesia practitioner to "switch off" these effects rapidly and safely when needed, for instance at the end of surgery.

The memorial prize, awarded in alternate years by the Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Sector of the UK's Royal Society of Chemistry, recognizes the outstanding work published in the preceding two years by individuals or groups, which makes a significant contribution to the fields of biological and medicinal science.  

Sugammadex, currently in late Phase III development, is the first selective relaxant binding agent (SRBA) and is specifically designed to quickly reverse the effects of steroidal neuromuscular blocking agents (muscle relaxants) used during general anaesthesia.

"This award is thoroughly deserved and goes to a team that has produced innovative and creative work of such a calibre that it immediately places the team at the forefront of research in the field," said Dr Dave Alker, Chairman of the Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Sector, "The pioneering work being conducted at Newhouse both helps enhance Organon's outstanding international reputation in research, as well as ushering in a new era in hospital practice and patient care."  

"This is wonderful news and I am delighted that the creativity and innovation of this team has been recognized," added Organon's Senior Vice President Research at Newhouse, Dr Chris Hill. "Sugammadex is already proving to be a groundbreaking scientific development and promises to transform the management of neuromuscular blockade. I congratulate the team on their success."

Members of the Organon team will be presented with the award at a presentation ceremony in September at the RSC/SCI Medicinal Chemistry Symposium in Cambridge.