We are delighted to announce that Professor Alan Boyd, founder and CEO of Boyds, has been awarded an MBE for his services to gene therapy and to medical education.
As an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) awardee, Alan is named in The New Year Honours List 2026, which recognises the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK.
Alan has been recognised for his significant contributions to the field of medicine development. Over the past 40 years, he has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the research and development of medicinal products for the benefit of patients and to the teaching of pharmaceutical medicine.
Services to gene therapy development
Alan’s pioneering work in gene therapies has not only helped to advance understanding and knowledge of this cutting-edge field but has also had a profound impact on patients across the world. Most notably, Alan was involved in establishing one of the world’s first gene therapy companies, Ark Therapeutics Ltd, in the late 1990s. He led the development of a gene therapy, Cerepro®, for the treatment of brain cancer, which culminated in the application to the EMA for product approval. Although it was not approved, the project had demonstrated that DNA could be used as a therapeutic agent. Alan and the Boyds team also supported Spark Therapeutics Inc, which led to the FDA approval of Luxturna®, the first gene therapy to be approved in the USA for the treatment of a genetic mutation condition that caused blindness. Such work helped define the path for all subsequent cell and gene therapies that followed.
Alan founded Boyds in 2005 with the clear focus on supporting biotechs, pharma companies and academic groups with the translation of ideas into medicinal products for patient benefit. Together with the Boyds team, Alan has been involved in the development of over 25 approved medicines, including 13 cell and gene therapies, as well as supporting projects such as the development of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. His work has received recognition through many awards, including the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, International Trade in 2018.
Services to medical education
In addition to his scientific accomplishments, Alan is a highly respected educator, having mentored countless students, early-career scientists and pharmaceutical physicians, many of whom have gone on to achieve great success in their own careers. As a founding member and former President of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, Alan has contributed significantly to pharmaceutical medicine being recognised by the General Medical Council as a medical specialty. He also co-developed and, for many years, ran a training course for physicians studying for the Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine. In 2020, he gifted the programme to the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, which laid the foundation for the Faculty to subsequently deliver multiple training programmes and education.
In addition, Alan has elected fellowships of the Royal Society of Biology, the British Pharmacological Society, the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine and the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Commenting on being awarded an MBE, Alan said: “It is an absolute honour to receive this prestigious recognition for my services to gene therapy and to medical education. My career has always been led by an unwavering commitment to improving patient lives. Indeed, this has guided every business decision I have made over the last 40 years. I am also delighted to have had the opportunity to share my knowledge with academics, healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical physicians and future drug developers. Teaching is something I am extremely passionate about, and I believe is pivotal to driving continued innovation in medicines development within the UK and globally.
“I would especially like to thank those who supported the recommendation for me to receive this MBE. I feel privileged to work in such a pioneering, exciting sector with life sciences and to have collaborated with so many brilliant colleagues to develop therapies that have transformed the lives of countless patients around the globe.”
Read the full New Year 2026 Honours List here.