| The European HQ and manufacturing facility of Upstate was, to his considerable surprise, named after the 84-year-old Nobel laureate on the fiftieth anniversary of him making the discovery that led to the honour.
On hearing the new facility would be called the Fischer Building because it was his work that had made its existence possible, Professor Fischer was invited to help Scottish enterprise minister Jim Wallace perform the opening.
The distinguished scientist then said, “In science there is nothing more exciting than the opening of a new building like this. To find out, as a complete surprise, that it is named after you well…..
“We all know that in science just about everything is possible. You here have already accomplished an enormous amount of work, and I am sure the best is yet to come.”
Professor Fischer and his colleague Professor Edward Krebs won the Nobel prize for their work in reversible protein phosphorylation.
Their work led to research into cell signalling, an area important in the understanding of diseases including cancer and diabetes.
Professors Fischer and Krebs made their discovery when working at the University of Washington in the USA, and it was there that in 1969 a young scientist Philip Cohen embarked on a two-year period of post-doctoral training.
The now Professor Cohen, one of Dundee University’s leading biochemists, maintained contact with the Nobel laureate, and invited him to the city this week.
Upstate helps pharmaceutical firms design and validate compounds which may be developed into drugs to combat cancer and other diseases, and their activities are a direct development of the work of Professors Fischer and Krebs.
The Virginia-based company previously had operations in the south of England but has consolidated all of its European operations into a purpose-built HQ in the Dundee Technology Park.
Upstate in Dundee now employs 75 people and hopes to increase its workforce to more than 100 by the end of this year.
Steve Davies, general manager of the Dundee plant, said, “Our technology is largely based on the pioneering work of Ed Fischer who, along with Ed Krebs, was awarded a Nobel Prize for his discoveries, so it is especially exciting for us that professor Fischer has been able to join us and the minister today to open this new facility.”
Mr Wallace said, “Upstate’s decision to consolidate its UK operations in Dundee is another significant step and an endorsement of what we can offer major life sciences companies — the quality of workforce, the depth and breadth of knowdedge and the infrastructure — and follows IMI’s announcement last week to create 500 jobs in Stirling.
“The decision to expand operations at Dundee is a further success for the biotechnology sector on Tayside, which is faced with stiff competition from the mature biotechnology community in Cambridge.
“I am delighted Mr Fischer is here today as it is a ringing endorsement of not only Upstate’s work but also reflects the importance of the Scottish life sciences sector.”
Mr Wallace later made a private visit to NCR in Dundee and officially opened the hospitality training suite at Dundee College. |
