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A lifetime of cancer research was rewarded last night when biologist Bruce Baguley was presented with the 2006 Sir Charles Hercus medal for his work in molecular and cellular sciences and technologies.
Professor Baguley's achievements for the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre include bringing seven world-class cancer chemotherapies to trial. The first, Amsacrine, discovered in 1978, stopped certain myleoid leukemias in their tracks.
His most recent triumph is DMXAA which has finished highly promising phase-3 testing at Auckland City Hospital and was picked up for further tests and hopefully commercial success by pharmaceutical giant Novartis which will pour a further $1 billion into its international development.
The modest Professor Baguley shot to fame last year when he became the face of a Herald-Cancer Society campaign which helped raise $75,000 for research.
Last night he was honoured by Governor-General Anand Satyanand who described him as a "stellar" scientist who has brought great honour to Auckland.
Introduced by the Academy of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 1996, the Hercus Medal recognises excellence in biomedical and health sciences. Previous recipients include Peter Gluckman of the Liggins Institute and Otago University vice-chancellor David Skegg.
