Scotland – the perfect base for your life sciences business
Scotland has one of the largest life sciences sectors in Europe. Perhaps it’s because the Scottish life sciences community embraces international collaboration, welcoming the chance to share information and expertise.
Scottish Development International
This government agency can arrange for you to visit Scotland, giving you direct access to the wide range of business opportunities available and the best sites and properties on offer.
Scottish Development International can give you tailored information about Scotland, as well as market research – as well as detailed information on financial assistance.
Scottish Development International (SDI)
Investing from outside the UK? You’re in good company
Around a third of employment in the Scottish life science sector is the result of overseas investment. For example, Johnston and Johnston employ approximately 1,500 people across two sites in Scotland.
Many US organisations choose to base their European Union headquarters in Scotland. These include:
- Charles River Laboratories
- Hycor Biomedical
- Invitrogen
- Quintiles Transnational
- Serologicals Inc
- Viragen
International collaboration
Recent international collaborative projects include the investment of up to £18 million in Scotland by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), which has a presence in the West of Scotland Science Park in Glasgow.
Massachusetts-based Inverness Medical Innovations has recently established a subsidiary in Scotland: Stirling Medical Innovations Ltd. They plan to invest more than $6 million in R&D, with another $55 million for manufacturing and commercialisation. This will create up to 500 jobs at a new biomarker R&D centre, currently under construction at Stirling University’s Innovation Park.
Research excellence
Scotland is renowned for the excellence of its scientific research and development – and boasts world-class clinical expertise.
Research capabilities Clinical expertise
A highly skilled and flexible workforce
Scotland has a highly skilled workforce, with a large pool of graduates and post doctoral researchers in life sciences. Compared to EU and US locations, Scottish employers also enjoy competitive labour costs.
There is a full range of education in life sciences and medical disciplines with over 100 courses in biotechnology and related subjects available to students in Scotland, at MSc, BSc, MEng, BEng, Udip and HND level.
Scotland has just 8.9 per cent of the UK population, but compared to the UK produces:
- 13.2 per cent of first life science degrees.
- 14 per cent of first pharmacy degrees.
- 31 per cent of genetics postgraduates.
- 30 per cent of microbiology PhDs.
Ongoing training
Scotland is committed to workforce development. The Scottish Colleges’ Biotechnology Consortium offers a wide range of biotechnology training for industry technicians and managers, working closely with industrial partners to design short courses and training programmes tailored towards the needs of clients such as Charles River Laboratories, Invitrogen.
Find the right people
Talent Scotland is a government-funded recruitment advertising service for life science companies. It is free for all companies advertising roles in Scotland. Over 20,000 skilled people receive Talent Scotland’s monthly industry e-newsletter, job alerts and apply on-line for jobs.
Talent Scotland also has information on life and work in Scotland – an excellent source of information on making the move.
Access to customers and global connections
Scotland has four international airports and two regional airports. There are regular daily flights to European destinations and the USA.
Specialist suppliers
Scotland has a highly developed network of specialist suppliers to the life science industry. Come here and you will find expertise on-hand to help rapidly grow your business.
World class laboratory and office facilities
From incubator space on university campuses through to flexible space in business parks and tailor-made laboratory space in science parks, you’ll find your perfect location in Scotland.
One of the key developments is the $1 billion Edinburgh Bioquarter currently under construction on the outskirts of Edinburgh. This will support Scotland’s expertise in stem cell research and will position Edinburgh as one of the world’s foremost centres for biomedical investment.
Collaboration
Scottish Enterprise's International Business Partnering Opportunities tool can match your overseas business with interested Scottish organisations. The range of opportunities on offer ranges from joint venture through to supplier, distributor, licensing and strategic alliance.
Support for inward investment
There is a huge amount of business support and financial backing available in Scotland. To find out more, contact Scottish Development International (SDI)