The Life Sciences Breathing Life into the Scottish Cities’ Economies

November 15, 2024

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Defined as a priority sector of economic significance by the Scottish Government, investment and growth in life sciences has long been at the heart of the development of Scottish cities and this will no doubt aid the phenomenal progress already seen.

The latest UK Budget featured the welcome announcement that £520m will be invested into life sciences through an innovative manufacturing fund, which has been well-received by industry leaders.

Scotland’s proficiency in innovation, academia and research has allowed the sector to continually grow and evolve and with cutting-edge projects expanding across the nation all the time, our cities life science sectors are tracking as one of the fastest growing sectors in the country.

Medical Advancements
Scottish cities are at the forefront of developing new treatments and therapies that have the potential to transform healthcare globally. In Edinburgh, the capital is leading pioneering research into the treatment of sickle cell disease as Scotland becomes the first country to trial gene-editing therapy. In Dundee, researchers at the University of Dundee have secured investment of £30m to continue their vital work on new treatments for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s with the UK Government highlighting the significance of this investment in “cementing” Scotland’s role in making Britain a “powerhouse” for life sciences.

Investment and Growth Development
Coordinated efforts by Scottish cities to attract investment and development have delivered key successes in Aberdeen, Stirling, and Glasgow, creating new jobs, infrastructure and powerful innovative clusters.

In Aberdeen, as part of the city’s ambition to double the size of the high-value life sciences cluster, NovaBiotics based out of Aberdeen University has raised a milestone $40m in investment to supercharge growth and create more skilled jobs. Meanwhile, in Stirling, Symbiosis Pharmaceutical Services Ltd is doubling its manufacturing capacity through investment in new facilities. The expansion will maintain over 130 skilled life sciences jobs and create an additional 50 new positions, leveraging Scotland’s strong talent pool.

In Glasgow, Kadans Science Partner, in collaboration with The Living Laboratory and its GRID partners the University of Glasgow, Scottish Enterprise and Glasgow City Council has established a flagship Innovation Hub that will provide 87,000sq.ft of state-of-the-art flexible laboratory and office space. The development serves as a commitment to driving local economic growth, attracting precision medicine industry to Glasgow to create new job opportunities and enhance local skills development.

Scottish Cities’ Life Science Future
Through our unique talent, innovative projects and determination, the Scottish life sciences sector presents an unparalleled opportunity for investors looking to be at the forefront of medical and technological advancements.

By investing in this dynamic industry, you can join a supportive ecosystem that drives unparalleled growth and opportunities, backed by strong government support and a proven track record of transformative scientific breakthroughs.