A HAMPSHIRE researcher has been awarded a medal for her work in developing a new cancer drug.

Angela Howes (pictured) led a team researching and developing Imbruvica which will help people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, the most common type of blood cancer, live longer.

The clinical leader and senior director of Johnson & Johnson and three of her colleagues were presented with medals by Alex Gorsky, CEO of Johnson & Johnson at a ceremony for 300 people in New Brunswick, America.

The drug is currently available through private hospitals in European Union countries and in the US but it may be available through the NHS at a later date, after a review by NICE, the UK’s health care body.

Angela said: “I feel very honoured. Although there were four of us selected for the award, there are many people who contribute to the successful development of a new medicine for patients.”

The married mum-of-one from the New Forest grew up in Romsey and went to Mountbatten School and Barton Peveril College before going on to achieve a BSc degree at London University and a PHD at the University of Surrey.

She currently works from the medical firm’s High Wycombe office in Buckinghamshire.