Unilever and Cambridge University form partnership for science

28/10/1999 : One of the world's leading scientists, Professor Robert Glen, is to head a new research centre being created through a partnership between Unilever and the University of Cambridge in the UK.

Professor Glen, the co-inventor of the anti-migraine drug Zomig (TM), has taken up the post of Unilever Professor of Molecular Science Informatics at Cambridge University's Department of Chemistry.

Unilever chairman Niall FitzGerald is convinced that the ability to handle scientific and technological information will be the secret of success in future.

"Information technology has transformed Unilever's business as it is transforming the world of trade and manufacturing. The Unilever Centre at Cambridge University will provide the next step, revolutionising the way scientists work," he said.

The Unilever Centre for Molecular Science Informatics opens in October 2000 and Professor Glen will lead a team of up to 50 scientists.

Commenting on his appointment, Professor Glen said: "This is the most exciting opportunity of its kind anywhere in the world - a real chance to shape the way that scientific research will be conducted in the future."

He added that the way ahead for leading universities lies in joint ventures with businesses. "Academia and business need to work together more closely to bring benefits for everyone around the world. Scientists are no longer divorced from business, nor should they be, and businesses need cutting-edge science to survive in our fast changing world.

"In the future, major advancements in science will depend on our ability to handle masses of information from very diverse sources. Informatics, the name we give this process, will enable us to access and work with much more information of much greater complexity than was imaginable even five years ago."

Professor Glen continued: "More than 90% of scientific findings sit on shelves gathering dust. With informatics and the development of intelligent browsers and robotic intelligence, we will accelerate knowledge generation, processing and use to an unprecedented level."

Mr FitzGerald added: "This is a tremendously exciting project for Unilever and will help us become a world-leading knowledge-based business. At the same time, it will provide a new openness and access to knowledge for the scientific world as a whole."