Dr Rick Thompson

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Rick joined Beacon (previously known as Findacure) as the charity’s third member of staff and first-ever Scientific Officer. His aim was to drive forward the charity’s work in drug repurposing.

Rick became CEO in 2017 and has since been involved in almost all of Beacon’s projects. He drives the organisation’s growth and strategy, co-leads two work packages in REMEDi4ALL alongside EURORDIS, and is part of the coordinating hub for LifeArc’s Translational Centres for Rare Disease. He has written articles, given talks and provided training across Europe focusing on topics as such as patient engagement in research, the repurposing of generic medicines, and rare disease policy. Rick proudly champions rare disease patient organisations, and is continually amazed by the work, knowledge, and commitment of rare disease patient group leaders.

Before Beacon, Rick secured a PhD in Evolutionary biology at Cambridge’s Museum of Zoology and spent time educating both undergraduate and school aged students.

ABPI Patient Advisory Council

The ABPI Patient Advisory Council - made up of eight chief executives or members of the executive leadership team from across UK patient organisations, provides ABPI Board Members and Senior Executive Team with meaningful patient engagement to inform strategy, policy priorities and work-plans across the ABPI.

ABPI Patient Advisory Council