AstraZeneca’s Chief Executive Officer Sir Pascal Soriot was today awarded the one of the highest honours by prestigious science institution SCI® for his role in accelerating scientific innovation and for leading the company’s global Covid-19 vaccination programme.
AstraZeneca collaborated with Oxford University to develop and manufacture one of the first Covid vaccines worldwide at the start of the pandemic. Between December 2020 and December 2021, three billion doses were made available, two-thirds of which were for low and middle-income countries worldwide at no profit to the company during the pandemic.
SCI®, established in 1881 as the Society of Chemical Industry, today announced it was to make a rare award of its President’s Medal to Sir Pascal for his ‘brave and responsible business decisions’.
The action Soriot took in 2020 vastly accelerated the administration of the new vaccine reaching 180 countries around the world, saving an estimated 6.3 million lives in the first year of the pandemic alone.
SCI® President, Paul Drechsler, in announcing the award said:
‘What Pascal did was extraordinary. At such a crucial moment in history, the decision to forgo profit saved many, many lives and allowed economies in some of the most deprived parts to recover more quickly.
‘It was a hugely brave decision and one that was unprecedented in the industry. Such principled decision-making is a mark of a true leader. It needs to be recognised and celebrated.
‘The science sector could be much more effective in tackling the challenges faced by the world if we were more willing to follow Pascal and AstraZeneca’s example of collaboration.’
Sir Pascal Soriot said:
‘I am deeply humbled by this award which reflects the contribution from so many people across AstraZeneca who transformed the business and played such a pivotal role in responding to the pandemic.
‘This year is the 25th anniversary of Astra and Zeneca coming together, building on the heritage of pioneering science that both companies had developed since the turn of the last century. Looking ahead, we are committed to operating sustainably to do all we can to avert the climate crisis in the pursuit of breakthrough medicines that address some of the most challenging diseases facing patients.’
The SCI President will formally present the medal to Sir Pascal in a ceremony in April 2024.
Established in 1946, the medal has only been awarded 11 times in its 78-year history. In 1992, it was awarded to the chemist and first British astronaut Helen Sharman. It was last awarded in 1998 to Sir James Black, Nobel Laureate for Medicine and creator of beta-blockers and life-saving drugs.
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