A cardiovascular medicine expert has been appointed as the first chief medical and scientific officer (CMSO) for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
Professor Jacob George began his role yesterday (5 January) where he will lead the MHRA’s science strategy and oversee its scientific, research and innovation activities.
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As Professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Dundee and as a consultant physician in NHS Tayside, Scotland, Professor George brings ‘extensive experience’ to the role.
He is also a member of the delivery group and management board for the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP), the current co-chair on the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) capital investment funding committee and has been senior health technology advisor to NICE.
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In 2017, he was appointed by Malaysian government, as an international expert advisory member of the Malaysian Scientific Review Panel for Phase I Clinical Trials and continues in this role.
Health innovation minister, Dr Zubir Ahmed, said: ‘Professor Jacob George’s expertise will help us accelerate access to safe and innovative treatments patients need.
‘His appointment as the agency’s first Chief Medical and Scientific Officer reflects our commitment to strengthening the UK’s position as a world leader in life sciences while putting scientific excellence at the heart of how we regulate medicines and medical devices.’
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Professor George said he was ‘delighted’ to be joining the MHRA and looked forward to working with partners across the UK to ‘strengthen scientific excellence and public trust’.
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