IN MEMORIAM: Graham Richards CBE FRS 1939-2025 Founding Chairman, Oxford Drug Design Ltd

With thanks to Dr. Sujuan Ba, President & CEO of the National Foundation or Cancer Research (NFCR) who had provided funding for decades to support the research of Professor Richards at the University of Oxford.

Oxford Drug Design and the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) mourn the passing of Professor Graham Richards CBE FRS, an extraordinary scientist, mentor, innovator, and leader in the global fight against cancer.

Professor Richards was not only a pioneer in computational drug design but also a cherished member of our Company’s and NFCR families. His visionary work and unwavering commitment to advancing cancer research leave a lasting legacy that will continue to impact lives for generations to come.

Professor Richards’ groundbreaking achievements were matched only by his passion for collaborative innovation. Together with Dr. Ba and international business leaders, he led the establishment of the NFCR Center for Computational Drug Design at the University of Oxford in 2000. The initial pioneering project, the peer-to-peer distributed computing platform ScreenSaver LifeSaver, broke new ground in the application of computational methods to accelerate drug discovery, laying the foundation for AI-driven techniques that are now transforming cancer research.

The project harnessed a global network of several millions of personal computers—forming a virtual supercomputer—to screen over 3.5 billion compounds and identify potential drug leads for 12 target proteins. Many of the methods he introduced are now widely applied in academia and industry.

“The ScreenSaver LifeSaver project is about saving lives, about how anyone, anywhere, with access to a personal computer and the Internet can help create a ‘virtual supercomputer’ that researchers can use to discover molecules that bind to proteins to stop cancers from growing,” said Dr. Ba. “But beyond the accolades and innovations, Professor Richards was a trusted friend and valued partner. His work with NFCR was a shared mission to outpace cancer and bring hope to patients around the world. He embodied the spirit of NFCR—collaborating across disciplines, pushing boundaries, and working tirelessly to bring better treatments to those in need.”

Beyond his work with NFCR, Professor Richards was a leader in computational chemistry, computer-aided drug design, and scientific enterprise. As Chairman of Oxford’s Department of Chemistry from 1997 to 2006, he spearheaded the construction of a world-class research facility and introduced a novel model for funding university research, which has since been emulated globally. With over 300 scientific papers and 15 books to his name, his contributions to the field were vast and enduring.

He was instrumental in establishing Oxford Molecular Ltd., a pioneering company in molecular modeling and pharmaceutical software, and played a key role in Oxford University’s technology transfer initiatives, helping spin out dozens of companies that bridged the gap between academic research and real-world applications.

As Founding Chairman of our Company, his last spinout discovering innovative therapies against the cancer that eventually took his life, his visionary leadership, guidance and mentorship across all aspects and with each member of our team were exemplary.

Our hearts are with Professor Richards’ family, friends, and other colleagues. We honor his memory by continuing the work he so passionately championed. His impact on our Company and the NFCR, the field of computational drug design, and the future of cancer research is indelible.

He will be greatly missed but never forgotten.