Paul Workman - Profile
Paul Workman is Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at The Institute of Cancer Research, heading the Cancer Research UK Centre for Cancer Therapeutics.
Professor Workman is currently working on drugs with the ability to block molecules that cancer cells require for growth, in particular molecular chaperones and the PI 3-kinase pathway. He has been involved in designing a number of new drugs that have entered clinical trials, including one that has already received FDA approval.
“I find it extraordinarily satisfying to be involved in designing small molecule drugs that are able to correct or exploit a specific cancer-causing abnormality,” he says. “I am excited about the therapeutic potential of these drugs as well as proud of the science behind them.”
Professor Workman began working at the ICR in 1997 after four years in cancer drug development at pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. Earlier, he completed a PhD in cancer pharmacology and drug development at Leeds University and became a post-doctoral researcher and then staff scientist at the Medical Research Council Oncology Unit in Cambridge.
He joined the ICR because he was “excited by the opportunity to build a major academic drug discovery group focusing on new molecular targets and exploiting our growing knowledge of the cancer genome”.
“I love the passion for cancer research and high level of scientific expertise at the ICR. The close interaction with The Royal Marsden NHS Trust is also very important for translating our research into clinical benefit. It’s a unique environment for cancer drug discovery and it’s a really exciting time to be doing this.”
Professor Workman believes the ICR has enormous potential to develop new drugs in the future that will contribute to patients receiving personalised medical treatment for cancer.
When he is not working, Professor Workman enjoys music, including opera, and maintains his fitness by going to the gym. He also likes living in the country but being close to London’s attractions.
