John Bamforth, former Eli Lilly and Company executive, will assume director role on Oct. 1
The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy is pleased to announce that John Bamforth, Ph.D., has joined the School as director of the Eshelman Institute for Innovation (EII).
The Eshelman Institute for Innovation was established in 2014 with a $100 million gift from Dr. Fred Eshelman. The Institute aims to accelerate the creation and development of ideas leading to discoveries of new medicines and technologies, and transformative changes in pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences education and health care. Bamforth will begin in the director role on October 1, and will vigorously pursue the mission and goals of the Institute, while developing new strategies to put the Institute on a path for sustained growth.
“The Eshelman Institute for Innovation serves as an innovation engine for the School and fosters a culture among our faculty, students, and staff to relentlessly pursue bold new ideas and innovative solutions to some of our biggest health care challenges. I am thrilled that John will be joining us to lead the EII. With his experience, expertise and passion, I know we will accelerate our pursuit of major challenges and opportunities to improve human health and to create significant impact on society,” said Dhiren Thakker, interim dean of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy.
Bamforth comes to the School after almost 30 years with Eli Lilly and Company. In his most recent role at Lilly, he served as the vice president and chief marketing officer for a broad portfolio including products for cardiovascular, immunological, pain and neuro-degenerative disorders. Bamforth completed his Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Bath in Bath, England; and earned his Ph.D. at Aston University in Birmingham, England.
“After 30 years in the biopharma industry I am excited to return to academia. I began my career in the pharmacy profession as a 16-year-old in a small hospital in England. This created a passion for making a difference for patients. Working at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and the Institute represents a tremendous opportunity to make a positive impact on a broad array of patients suffering with challenging illnesses,” Bamforth said.
Since its launch in 2014, the EII has provided $25.4 million in grants to School faculty, staff, and students and their collaborators to pursue innovative ideas in drug discovery, drug delivery, clinical pharmacology, pharmacy practice and pharmacy education.