A NORTH-EAST scientist's outstanding contribution to anti-cancer drug development has won an award.

Professor Hilary Calvert, who is funded by Cancer Research UK, is to receive the 2005 Pfizer Award for Innovative Science at the Science Museum, in London, next Thursday.

The award is given annually to a scientist whose innovative research has made a significant impact on the discovery and development of new medicines.

Professor Calvert is clinical director of the Northern Institute for Cancer Research and professor of medical oncology at Newcastle University.

He also leads a team of clinicians at the Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment (NCCT) at Newcastle General Hospital.

He has been singled out for his work on a class of drugs known as antifolates.

This led to the development of a chemotherapy drug known as Pemetrexed, which is used to treat mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer caused by asbestos.

Prof Calvert's other research activities led to the development of a second-generation anti- cancer drug known as Carboplatin, which is used to treat patients with lung and ovarian cancer.

He has also been involved in establishing the Northern Institute for Cancer Research at Newcastle University as a global centre of excellence in the early development of cancer therapeutics.

Prof Calvert, who has worked at Newcastle University for 16 years, said: "No one can win an award like this without superb colleagues, research funding and a great place to work, so I would like to thank all concerned for their help and support over the years."

In February, football legend and cancer survivor Sir Bobby Robson opened the university's new Paul O'Gorman Building.

Cancer Research UK has contributed £4m to help build and equip the centre, which is now home to 120 scientists.