He is an internationally recognized expert in porphyrin chemistry and biochemistry. He was the lead creator of Visudyne, a medication used in conjunction with laser treatment to eliminate the abnormal blood vessels in the eye associated with conditions such as the wet form of macular degeneration.
Born in London, England, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1962 and a Ph.D. in 1965 from the University of Nottingham. He then attended Harvard University as a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Harvard organic chemist Robert B. Woodward. In 1966, he was appointed an assistant professor at Harvard. In 1974, he joined the faculty of science at the University of British Columbia where he became the Killam Research Professor. From 1988 to 1989, he was the acting Dean of Science. From 1999 to 2000, he was the acting Vice President of Research.
He is Chief Executive Officer of the BC Innovation Council and Vice-President, Technology Development at Quadra Logic Technologies Incorporated (QLT Inc.).