John has a continuous publication record in CNS drug discovery with numerous patents and applications in drug discovery and implementation. In addition to NeurAxon he has also co-founded two other companies, Ketogen Inc, working on treatment resistant epilepsy and Talon Pharmaceutical Services Inc developing novel treatments for rarer neurological disorders. Dr Andrews is also currently acting as CEO of Kanata Chemical Technologies Corp and sits on the Board or Scientific Advisory Boards and Councils of several companies and organisations as well as the industrial advisory board of the Ontario Brain Institute.

His talk will focus on the changing face of drug discovery and development in the modern world; the difficulties in translational medicine and the demands of regulatory bodies and the wishes of patients and clinicians. We will consider the many different components of drug discovery and development, the associated time and costs and the type of background and qualifications required both in the past and the future. The interaction of basic science with the ability to implement that knowledge to the benefit of patients and society in general and the future of academic, institutional and industrial co-operation.