David Jack (pharmacologist)
Scottish pharmacologist and medicinal chemist (1924–2011)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sir David Jack (22 February 1924 – 8 November 2011[2][3]) was a Scottish pharmacologist and medicinal chemist who specialised in the development of drugs for treating asthma. He was head of research and development at Glaxo from 1978 until 1987.
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Sir David Jack | |
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| Born | 22 February 1924 |
| Died | 8 November 2011 (aged 87) |
| Citizenship | British |
| Alma mater | |
| Known for | Drug discovery and development |
| Spouse | Lydia Downie Brown (1952–2016) |
| Awards |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Pharmacology, Medicinal chemistry |
| Institutions | Allen & Hanburys, Glaxo |
| Arnold Beckett | |
Early life and education
Jack was born the sixth and youngest child of a coal miner, in Markinch, Fife, Scotland.[4] He attended Buckhaven High School before turning down a place at Edinburgh University to become an apprentice pharmacist. In 1944, having completed his apprenticeship, he began a BSc course in chemistry and pharmacy at the Royal Technical College, Glasgow. He won a number of undergraduate prizes and graduated with first class honours.[4]
Career
He turned down an offer to study for a doctorate and instead worked as an assistant lecturer at the University of Glasgow.[1][4]
In 1951 he joined the pharmaceutical company Glaxo Laboratories, moving to Smith Kline and French in 1953.[4] In 1961 he became director of research at Allen and Hanburys, a subsidiary of Glaxo, and served as Glaxo's research and development director from 1978 until his official retirement in 1987.[2]
Jack was known for heading a research team which developed the following drugs:
- Beclometasone in 1962
- Salbutamol or Albuterol in 1966,
- Ranitidine in 1977,
- Sumatriptan in 1984,
- Salmeterol or serevent in 1985,
- Ondansetron in 1987,
- and Fluticasone propionate in 1993.
Honours
Jack was knighted for services to the pharmaceutical industry in 1993.[4]
In 1987, he was awarded an Honorary Degree (Doctor of Science) by the University of Bath.[5]