Professor Peter Jenner is an internationally recognized neuropharmacologist and Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology at King's College London, where he previously served as Head of the Division of Pharmacology and Therapeutics for 14 years. His academic journey began at Chelsea College studying pharmacy, where inspirational teaching ignited his passion for medicinal chemistry and pharmacology that would define his career path. After initial training in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics examining the metabolic fate of tobacco alkaloids and amphetamine derivatives in humans, his career trajectory shifted decisively with an appointment in the University Department of Neurology at the Institute of Psychiatry as a pupil of the renowned Professor David Marsden. This pivotal experience sparked his lifelong fascination with movement disorders and established the foundation for his decades-long research focus on Parkinson's disease using translational neuroscience approaches.
Professor Jenner has established himself as a world expert in preclinical aspects of Parkinson's disease and neurodegenerative disorders through his extensive research program spanning several decades. His work has produced over 700 peer-reviewed publications that have significantly advanced understanding of neuropharmacology based on functional models of neurodegenerative diseases, with particular emphasis on drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics. By developing and utilizing sophisticated experimental models of Parkinson's disease, he has made substantial contributions to elucidating disease mechanisms and identifying potential therapeutic interventions. His research has been widely disseminated through numerous international presentations and has informed the development of treatments currently in clinical use, demonstrating his ability to bridge basic science with practical clinical applications.
Beyond his academic contributions, Professor Jenner has demonstrated significant leadership in translating research into therapeutic advances through his role as Founder, Director, and Chief Scientific Officer of Proximagen, a biotechnology company focused on neurodegenerative diseases that was listed on AIM and subsequently acquired by a US healthcare company. He currently serves as Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board for Chronos Therapeutics and maintains active consulting relationships with major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, effectively bridging the gap between academic research and drug development. His commitment to patient engagement is evident through regular presentations at Parkinson's disease patient-carer groups across the UK and his close collaboration with advocacy organizations including Parkinson's UK and the Cure Parkinson's Trust. Professor Jenner continues to influence the field through editorial roles with prestigious journals such as the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology and Neuropharmacology, maintaining his position as a leading authority in neurodegenerative disease research despite his transition to emeritus status.
