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Executive Director of the Grants, Innovation and Product Development Unit, South African Medical Research Council

Richard Gordon is the Executive Director of the Grants, Innovation and Product Development Unit (GIPD) at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). GIPD incorporates the Self-Initiated Research Grants (SIR), Newton Fund Programmes, Grand Challenges South Africa, Strategic Research Initiatives, Platform & Specialist Scientific Services and Flagship Programmes.

Prior to joining the SAMRC, Richard spent 10 years at BioFocus, a UK-based pharmaceutical drug discovery contract research organisation, where he moved from the bench to business development. During this time, Richard held a number of international positions specialising in establishing research collaborations in target discovery, high throughput screening, medicinal chemistry, ADMET and pharmacology for a wide range of therapeutic areas. At his time of departure, Richard was the global head of business development and marketing, overseeing teams in the US, EU and Asia Pacific. Richard completed his PhD at the University of Cape Town and his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Cambridge. He is also a chartered marketer. Richard is originally from East London.

Experience

  • –present
    Executive Director of the Grants, Innovation and Product Development Unit, South African Medical Research Council