Prof Peter Simpson

Peter is Chief Scientific Officer for Medicines Discovery Catapult. His expert biology teams collaborate with universities and SMEs around UK, generating innovative technology and assay methodologies to accelerate progress in therapeutic discovery. Peter has previously been Director of N8 Research Partnership, establishing multi-university research collaborations across the North of England and leading strategic engagement on innovation policy.
In 2020 at the start of the Covid pandemic, Peter led the establishment of the Alderley Park Lighthouse Lab, which now employs more than 600 staff and has delivered ~9 million Covid tests over the past year.
Previously, Peter has twenty years of experience in leading innovative drug discovery departments and programmes within major Pharmaceutical companies (Merck, AstraZeneca). He sits on multiple national and international advisory boards.