Dancing with Daffodils ~ 180th Lecture Series

Join us at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, as we mark 180 years since the foundation of the Royal Agricultural College, the very first agricultural college in the English speaking world.

We are holding a series of events throughout the year - including lectures, debates, and open days - so do follow us to make sure you stay up to date on our events and celebrations.

Dancing with Daffodils

The third lecture in our 180th anniversary lecture series will take place on Wednesday 16 July 2025 from 18.00 to 20.00 (Doors open at 18.00 with the lecture starting at 18.30) in the Kenneth Russell room at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU).

The lecture, entitled Dancing with Daffodils, will be delivered by Professor Xianmin Chang, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (China Programmes) at the RAU, and Kevin Stephens, Managing Director of Agroceutical Products Ltd.

It will explore the development story of the hill farm production of daffodils to provide bio-active compounds to the pharma and ag-chem industries to treat Alzheimer's Disease and possibly even cancer.

Prof Chang has more than 40 years' research experience and, in the last two decades, his research has focused on growing daffodils for alkaloids for human health.

Working closely with pharmaceutical companies - in particular with Kevin Stephens at Agroceutical Products Ltd (APL), his research projects include daffodil material screening, genetic analysis, planting, and alkaloid extraction, isolation and purification. So far, more than 500 alkaloids have been identified and one of these, Galanthamine, is now being used to the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Other alkaloids, such as Lycorine, Home-Lycorine, Tazettine, Narciclasine, Haemanthamine, have potential to be used as treatments for viral diseases, heart failure, cancer (glioma), inflammation, and may also impact Protozoa in ruminant digestion which could eliminate methane production.

Kevin Stephens has more than 20 years' experience managing development projects across commercial and public sectors, combining his agricultural background with expertise in chemical engineering, an MBA, and an MSc in International Management and Finance.

His diverse portfolio includes projects in natural products, engineering, and alternative energy, such as wool applications, waste plastic conversion, and green chemistry innovations.

Working with Professor Chang and other colleagues, Kevin’s research into daffodils has led to the development of novel techniques for agronomy, harvesting, and extraction, resulting in bioactive compounds with anti-viral, anti-cancer, and Alzheimer’s Disease treatment.

This work has contributed to the creation of products like Cerbella (a brain health supplement), Zunveyl (an FDA-approved Alzheimer’s treatment), and Aneruct (a methane inhibitor).

Come along to hear more about how research into the beautiful daffodil will play an important role in our future.

Location: RAU Cirencester, GL7 6JS

Date: 16 July 2025

Time: 18.00 to 20.00 (Doors open at 18.00 with the lecture starting at 18.30)

Tickets and parking are free.