image: Dr. John Climax (left) was conferred a Doctorate in Science by Trinity College Dublin. He is seen here with University Chancellor, Dr. Mary Robinson. view more
Credit: Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Clinical scientist and National University of Science (NUS) alumnus, Dr John Climax, has been conferred a Doctorate in Science by Ireland's leading university, Trinity College Dublin (TCD). The ceremony took place on Friday 29 June 2012.
One of five honorary degrees conferred by TCD, it recognises Dr Climax's contributions as a scientist and in founding and building the global clinical research company ICON.
Dr Climax received his primary degree, Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) in 1977 from University of Singapore, which is NUS today. In 2005, he was presented with the NUS Faculty of Science Outstanding Alumni Science Award.
He has over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and contract research industries in both Europe and the United States. He founded ICON Clinical Research PLC with a team of just five people back in 1990, 10 years after he left Singapore for Dublin in 1980 as Research Fellow, at the Institute of Clinical Pharmacology.
On his close ties with Singapore, Dr Climax said: "I am grateful to my teachers at the School of Pharmacy at then University of Singapore (now NUS) and the research training I received at the Kandang Kerbau Hospital's department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology under the direction of Professors S. Karim and S. S. Ratnam. Those were my transformational years."
Beating recession
Sharing how he built up ICON, Dr Climax said: "I recall the moment when the Institute of Clinical Pharmacology was taken over by a competitor, and my then boss and friend, Dr Lambe, and I were made redundant. The early 1990s were a time of deep recession in Ireland. There were job offers for us from the US and elsewhere in Europe, but we decided to forego them and to start a similar organisation ourselves. There was one small problem though – we had no money. We were on the dole, and we both had families and mortgages."
He and his friend persevered. They took a bank overdraft, knocked on doors of professional services companies and got hold of past clients. After some hardship and lots of faith, his company was born.
From its humble beginnings 23 years ago, ICON has become a global provider of outsourced development services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. It is today quoted on the NASDAQ in the US and on the ISEQ in Europe, and employs close to 9,000 people in 81 offices across 42 countries. Last year, it made an after tax profit of US$39 million on gross revenues of US$1.3 billion.
Three years ago, ICON celebrated its tenth year of operation in Singapore by moving its central laboratory to a new, larger facility at Loyang Way. This was in response to a rapid growth in demand for its services and the fact that Singapore had become a regional hub for drug development in Asia-Pacific.
Reaping success
Now Chairman Emeritus of ICON, Dr Climax is also a founding member of the Board of the Science Gallery at Trinity College and Adjunct Professor at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
In 2010, he founded Dignity Sciences, a start-up pharmaceutical company that specialises in the area of ageing. Also in the same year, he was invited to deliver the Commencement address to NUS' Pharmacy graduands. (To read his speech, click here)
In 2005, Dr Climax became a founding member of the board of the Science Gallery, a novel public science outreach based at TCD, which promotes collaboration between artists and scientists through various exhibitions and lectures. Since it opened its doors in February 2008, its exhibitions have been seen by over 800,000 visitors.
Dr Climax is Director of Science Gallery International, a set-up that plans to develop eight science gallery hubs around the world by 2020, in partnership with leading universities in major cities such as London and Moscow.
Recently, Google donated €1 million (US$1.3 million) to support the development of a Global Science Gallery Network, which is to be officially launched this year during Dublin's tenure as European City of Science.
In 2004, Dr Climax established the Human Dignity Foundation, a Swiss-based charity that seeks to alleviate child poverty through holistic change projects in Africa, Europe and Asia. He is serving as the foundation's director.
More information about the Doctorate in Science honorary degree being conferred by TCD is available at: http://www.tcd.ie/registrar/honorary-degrees/.
Contact Person: Carolyn FONG
Contact: (65) 6516 5399
Email: carolyn@nus.edu.sg