Prof. V. Craig Jordan, CMG, OBE, FMedSci, DSc, PhD

Jordan completed an undergraduate degree and a PhD in pharmacology at the University of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England.

He is the discoverer of Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) and a founding father of targeted therapy in cancer. Today, there are 5-FDA approved SERMs (tamoxifen, raloxifene, toremifene, basedoxifene, ospemiphene) used to treat major diseases and conditions in women. From the treatment of all stages of breast cancer, to breast cancer risk reduction in high-risk women, osteoporosis treatment, and painful intercourse as well as menopausal symptoms’ alleviation.

The clinical success of Jordan’s SERM discovery stimulated the discovery and application of Selective Nuclear Receptor Modulators. Very few mechanism-based groups of medicines have had such a broad impact on society. To date, SERMs have helped save and/or improve millions of lives around the world!

In May 2002, the citation for his American Cancer Society Medal Of Honour reads: “For his relentless investigation of estrogens, antiestrogens, and estrogen receptors for their role in breast cancer; for his continuing work to compare and refine the treatments for breast cancer and the possibilities for preventing the disease; and his commitment to answering the questions that every new innovation raises.”

Jordan’s patient-transformative work is recognized by his election to the National Academy of Sciences (2009) (USA), the National Academy of Medicine (2018) (USA), the Academy of Medical Sciences (2009) (UK equivalent of NAM), and with an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Society of Medicine (2008) (UK). The British Pharmacological Society and American Endocrine Society recognized his work with the Sir James Black Award for Contributions to Drug Discovery (2015) and the Gerald Aurbach Award for Outstanding Translational Research (2018).

In 2019, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Jordan Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG) for international services to women’s health. In 1993, He was awarded the Cameron Prize (other recipients include Nobel laureates: Alexander Fleming, Marie Curie, and Louis Pasteur).

In parallel, Jordan was recruited to the British Army’s Intelligence Corps, becoming the youngest captain in the service. Eventually, he joined the British Special Air Service (SAS) with a personal recommendation by General Sir Michael Rose (of Iranian Embassy Siege fame 1980). He was also on the Staff of the Deputy Chief Scientist (Army), attached to the US Army, and trained as a narcotics officer in America.

Jordan is an ardent philanthropist whose ethos is: “One person can make a difference and everyone should try”. Just like his mother and Mr. Bescoby -at school- gifted him with the reins to try! Ever since, he has been investing in the young and causes close to his heart: cancer research, women's health, Native Indian American children, and pet adoption.

Jordan passed over -not away- on the 9th of June, 2024 in Houston, Texas, to two daughters, a cat named “Marmalade” (whom he loved and spoiled rotten), and scores of affectionate mentees (whose lives and the lives of their offspring took a better turn because of meeting Craig)!

A memorial service is to be conducted at four o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 25th of July in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with his family by selecting the “Add a Memory” icon below.