Scotland’s specialist manufacturing supply base
Scotland’s supply base can be divided into two areas: technical companies and organisations offering a wide range of specialist technical services: professional service companies with in depth biopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical manufacturing expertise.
Technical suppliers Specialist suppliers
Media suppliers
The Scottish biomanufacturing sector is well served. Uniquely, three of the world's top five cell culture media manufacturers, Invitrogen (Scotland), Sigma-Aldrich (Scotland) and Hyclore (Northumberland), are within a three hour drive of the Central Belt. This keeps the supply chain short and efficient.
Same day delivery opens up the possibility for the development of just in time manufacturing strategies using pre-prepared cell culture media in large disposable bags.
This is a significant advantage for Scotland as manufacturers adopt 'Smart Bioprocessing' either in whole or in part. 'Smart bioprocessing' (disposable bioprocessing) involves replacing traditional stainless steel vessels, pipes etc with disposable plastic bags, pipes and capsules filters.
Contract Service Organisations
There is a full range of services, from Biosafety testing to clinical trials to regulatory support. The leading organisations are:
These firms offer services for biosafety characterisation of cell lines, process validation to prove viral (and other contaminant) clearance and routing monitoring of production and lot release.
They are close to each other and to the main life sciences location – allowing easy, cost-effective start-up, and easy sample submission during routine manufacture.
Contract Research Organisations
Scotland has a highly developed network of specialist suppliers to the life science industry, ensuring that all the support services and professional advisers you require are on hand to allow your business to expand rapidly. In particular, Scottish lawyers are familiar with European legislation and assist you deal effectively with European directives governing the life science industry including clinical trials.