A Liverpool Chemistry graduate who developed his own biotech company will deliver this year’s Potts Medal Chemistry Lecture.
Alex John Toft (BSc Hons Chemistry 1983), was most recently Director of Operations for the Microbiology Division of Public Health Wales, where he was responsible for delivering safe, effective and high quality microbiology services and the establishment of an all Wales microbiology network with three regions.
After working for Unilever in Indonesia and Brazil and gaining an MBA from the University of Warwick in 1996, Alex began his career in the pharmaceutical industry and founded his own biotech in 2003, developing a series of drugs, including a new treatment for chronic kidney disease.
Alex has a varied background including senior commercial experience in blue chip international organisations in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, together with a strong background in the healthcare industry, particularly in clinical development and regulatory affairs.
Before his role in Wales, he was Director of Operations and Clinical Service for the Air Ambulance Service for three years, establishing a successful foundation for the direction and management of Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance, covering 11,000 square miles and a population of over four million. He was also a pioneering figure in the development of The Children’s Air Ambulance, developing the service nationally with no government funding.
Alex was awarded an honorary senior lectureship in Clinical Medicine by the University for his endeavours in renal medicine and for his support of clinical research at the University.
Alex’s lecture, ‘The Journey of a Chemist’, takes place at 5.30pm on Thursday, 26 March 2015 at the Victoria Gallery & Museum. A celebratory dinner will follow. To book tickets, please visit: https://alumni.liv.ac.uk/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=621&erid=5378725&trid=dfd3b118-f78e-4bc0-9fc8-8b3da73e58db