Key facts about Life Sciences in Scotland
Rapid growth
Scotland has one of the largest and fastest growing life science communities in Europe. We’re also home to some 15 per cent of the UK’s life science companies, adding up to over 600 organisations and 30,500 people.
A healthy business climate
In 2005, 20 per cent of Europe’s life science initial public offerings (IPOs) were Scottish. Recent successful Scottish IPOs include:
- Ardana
- ProStrakan
- IDMoS
- Optos
Cyclacel was founded in Scotland in 1996, and is the first – and only – European spinout to raise more than $100million. Or as the Financial Times Group put it, ‘Scotland is one of the best places to do business in Europe’.
Healthcare focus
Over 70 per cent of Scotland’s core life science organisations focus on human healthcare.
More about Scotland’s capabilities
Research excellence
Scotland is especially known for expertise in oncology, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, central nervous system diseases, virology, immunology, stem cells and regenerative technology.
The proof? Scotland’s universities and research institutes attract £410 million funding every year. Or to put it another way, 13 per cent of total UK funding, for just 9 per cent of the UK population.
Scotland has 57 universities and research institutes working in Life Sciences. With 17,000 Research staff, they employ 11.6 per cent of the UK total.
An integrated Life Sciences community
There’s a genuine Life Sciences community in Scotland– and a spirit of collaboration.
Scotland’s fully integrated life sciences strategy is unique. In fact, we think it’s the only approach of its kind in the world. In 2005, the Scottish life sciences industry, working with other stakeholders from the life sciences community, joined forces to create the Scottish Life Sciences Strategy: Achieving Critical Mass, the 2020 vision.
This strategy includes a number of short and long term milestones, and one of these was creating the Life Sciences Alliance.
The Alliance includes members from industry, universities, research institutions, NHS Scotland, financial institutions, the Scottish government and the Scottish Enterprise Network.
Collaboration within easy reach
Within 50 miles of the cities of Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow, you will find 80 per cent of Scotland’s life science industry. This is one reason why many research groups in Scotland choose to collaborate with each other.
A supportive environment
There’s also support from government, to develop growing life science businesses at key stages. There is also support for early stage technology development in universities and research institutes.
Support and funding for life sciences Scottish Intermediary Technology Institute Life Sciences