Scotland's key capabilities

Scotland’s real strength is the depth of expertise on offer – all within easy reach in our relatively small country.

If you’re looking to invest, partner, locate or work here, a glance at our capabilities should help make your decision.

Drug discovery and development
Scotland is at the forefront of leading-edge drug research and development. Working with Scotland – or being based here – will give you access to a rich pool of innovation. There are many successful companies operating in the drug discovery sector in Scotland, including multinationals such as Organon and Quintiles, and indigenous Scottish organisations such as ProStrakan and Cyclacel.

Drug delivery and formulation
Scotland’s significant strength in the field of formulation and drug delivery, combines with a successful medical devices sector – making for opportunities in implanted medical devices.

Medicinal chemistry
Scotland has strong capabilities in medicinal chemistry in both academic research groups and in our growing base of companies involved in drug development.

Contract research organisations (CROs)
Over 40 clinical research and contract service companies – including Quintiles, Apuit and Charles River Laboratories.

Clinical expertise
More medical research is conducted per head of population in Scotland than anywhere else in Europe. A stable, well recorded population – and a high incidence of disease – makes Scotland an ideal location for clinical research.

Medical technology
From MRI to the activity monitor, Scotland’s academic innovations have fed into medical technologies which have changed the world. Scotland is already home to a vibrant community of over 100 med-tech companies.

Specialist manufacturing
One of the UK’s few specialist manufacturing clusters, employing 4000 - including three of the world’s top cell culture media manufacturers within a short drive of Scotland’s central belt.

Specialist suppliers
From cleanroom services to lab reagents, you’ll find a choice of specialist suppliers close at hand. Scotland also has a wealth of experienced professional advisers to assist your business.