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The Periodic Table of elementsAbout Life Sciences Scotland

Scotland has a long and impressive track record in life sciences. The sector remains a critical component of the Scottish economy, offering significant potential for growth in both the wealth and the health of the nation. Scotland aims to maximise innovation from our academic centres of excellence as well as support individual company growth.

A national strategy
To support this growth, Scotland has taken a collaborative approach with key stakeholders, including industry, academia, NHS Scotland, financial institutions, the Scottish government and the Scottish Enterprise Network, to develop a national strategy for life sciences.

The Strategy has been drawn up for, and in consultation with, the life sciences community in Scotland. The development was overseen by the Scottish Life Sciences Industry Advisory Group, and is supported by The Scottish Executive and by the Deputy First Minister.

The strategy sets out a clear vision for growth and development of the life sciences industry in Scotland for the next fifteen years. The overall aim is to create:

A globally focused, sustainable life sciences sector built on a fully connected national strategy that exploits the strengths in scientific excellence, financial services and innovative business models and that develops, retains and builds upon Scotland's talents.

Milestones

The strategy sets of a set of milestones. Milestones that have been achieved include:

The Life Sciences Alliance
The Life Sciences Alliance is a group of senior representatives drawn from all sectors of the life sciences community in Scotland. The establishment of Life Sciences Alliance was a specific objective arising out of the national strategy

The remit of the Life Sciences Alliance is to oversee the implementation and forward development of the National Life Sciences Strategy through constant engagement and dialogue with the life sciences community.

The connectivity achieved across the life sciences community in Scotland is demonstrated through the efforts of the Life Sciences Alliance stakeholders in working towards completion of the milestones set out in the national strategy including the development of a unified life sciences brand supported by the Life Sciences sScotland website.

Members of The Life Sciences Alliance

  • Raymond Abbott Alliance Trust Equity Partners
  • Rhona Allison Scottish Enterprise*
  • Tony Baker Scottish Development International
  • Brian Bathgate Charles River Laboratories*
  • Patrick Begley Life Science Alliance Manager*
  • Simon Best*
  • Gordon Bickerstaff University of the West of Scotland
  • William Blair Scottish Widows Investment Partners
  • David Bowie Aircraft Medical
  • David Boxer University of Dundee
  • John Coggins University of Glasgow
  • Willie Donachie Moredun
  • Stuart Fancey Scottish Funding Council
  • David Gani Scottish Funding Council
  • David Garnham Association of Medical Research Charities
  • Anne Glover Chief Scientific Adviser
  • Catriona Graham Scottish Government*
  • Douglas Greig Scottish Government*
  • John Hall AAI Pharma*
  • Chris Hill Organon-Schering-Plough*
  • Andrew Illius University of Edinburgh
  • Moyna Kennedy Scottish Enterprise*
  • Alan Langlands University of Dundee
  • Ian Leslie Scottish Development International
  • Cameron MacDonald Controlled Therapeutics
  • Paul McBarron Cyclacel
  • Eleanor Mitchell ITI Life Sciences
  • Andrew Morris TMRC
  • Andy Porter Aberdeen University/Grampian Biopartners
  • Willie Printie LifeScan*
  • Gaener Rodger Highlands and Islands Enterprise
  • Tom Shepherd CXR Biosciences* (chair)
  • Alison Spaull Chief Scientist Office

* also a member of the Industry Advisory Group

Industry Advisory Group
The Life Sciences Industry Advisory Group (IAG) was established in February 2004 by the Scottish Executive’s Enterprise Minister and represents all aspects of the life sciences industry in Scotland.

The IAG is a group of company CEO’s drawn from across the breadth of the life sciences sector in Scotland including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and diagnostics, contract research organisations, specialist supply and support.

The IAG meets at least on a quarterly basis to discuss and address – in conjunction with government representatives – any key issues of national significance for the growth of the life sciences industry sector in Scotland. Membership of the IAG is on a rolling basis.

Current Members (* see above):