Scotland Announces Goal to Double Life Sciences Contribution to Scottish Economy by 2020 at BIO

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the 2011 BIO International Convention, Scotland, with a record 20 companies in attendance, announces plans to double the economic contribution of its life sciences sector to the Scottish economy by 2020. Building on the country's rich history of scientific discovery, medical technology, stem cell and translational medicine, as well as a unified approach to collaboration across government, academia and industry, Scottish Development International believes its life sciences sector is positioned for maximum growth and productivity.

"Scotland embodies a cohesive approach to supporting life sciences innovation across both public institutions and private industry, bridging basic and clinical research and delivering results to patients," said Rhona Allison, Senior Director Life Sciences, Scottish Development International. "The quality of our research and technology combined with our integrated life sciences strategy give us a competitive advantage in the global healthcare market and allow us to confidently predict Scotland's growth as  a life sciences sector."

The Edinburgh BioQuarter partnership between ARE, SE/SDI, the University of Edinburgh and the National Health Service is developing a new European life sciences hub, bringing together a number of research assets, including the new Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine (SCRM). This centre, headed  up by Professor Charles ffrench-Constant and advised by Sir Ian Wilmut, will join the existing research community of 1,200 scientists in a brand new facility in the heart of the BioQuarter. The BioQuarter's bioincubator building is set to welcome its first tenants in 2012 and will provide more than 80,000 square feet of office and lab space.

The breadth of companies at BIO 2011 is testament to Scotland's environment of scientific excellence and translation of cutting-edge science into clinical results. Earlier this month, Glasgow biopharmaceutical firm Lamellar Biomedical announced that their lead clinical candidate LMS-611 for the treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis has received Orphan Drug Designation from the European Commission, an important step toward developing new and effective treatments to address one of the most common chronic lung diseases among children and young people.

Translational medicine continues to be an essential component of Scotland's success in the life sciences, highlighted by the Scottish Academic Health Sciences Collaboration which streamlines company engagement with Scotland's patient-oriented clinical research platform among NHS Scotland and university partners in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Contract research and testing services are a springboard for growth in Scotland with more than 60 Scotland-based companies offering these services. Today, BioOutsource Ltd. in Glasgow, Scotland, announced expanded capabilities to offer GLP, GMP and GCP compliant analytical chemistry, biosafety testing and immunology testing to deliver quality contract testing services to biopharmaceutical clients.

Scotland's ability to attract world-class talent and support scientific leadership is further demonstrated by GlobalScots, a network of global Scottish business leaders who will be convening at BIO this year to offer more than a dozen Scottish companies advice on business strategy. Two notable Scottish life science leaders, Dr. John Brown and Kevin Moore were recently honored by Queen Elizabeth for their contributions to the field.

"Scotland not only offers a wealth of scientific and business advantages, but  an energized, interconnected community where life science companies can thrive in a competitive global economy," said Allison.  

Scottish Companies and Organizations at BIO

Advocates Ltd

Angel Biotechnology

Arrayjet

BioOutsource Ltd

Biopta

Biotech Innovation & Future Health Ltd

ChimaeraBio

EctoPharma

Equateq

GT Biologics Limited

Lamellar Biomedical

Marks & Clerk

NovaBiotics

Ocutec Limited

QCTR

Scottish Biomedical

Shepherd and Wedderburn

Sistemic

Symbiosis.

Tissue Solutions

University of Dundee

University of Edinburgh

For more information on these companies, please visit Scottish Development International.

For further information on Scotland at BIO, please contact Amanda Keane at 508-237-7975 or [email protected]

SOURCE Scottish Development International