A digital stage for Scotland’s life sciences sector

A new online platform that showcases Scotland’s strengths in the healthcare and life sciences sectors to a global audience has been launched.

Scottish Enterprise has partnered with the UK Healthcare Pavilion, the first ever virtual industry portal that allows overseas customers to connect with innovative companies and organisations based in Scotland and the wider UK.

The site - https://ukhealthcarepavilion.com/ - will provide a unique, searchable directory of firms that will enable overseas buyers and healthcare providers to identify and engage with industry and health organisations, enhancing export and inward investment opportunities.  The online forum will also provide news, insights and interviews from a variety of key opinion leaders and policy makers, offering their views on topical subjects in the sector. 

Scotland is recognised as one of the largest, most accessible and collaborative life science clusters in Europe, providing approximately 41,000 jobs across more than 750 diverse organisations.  The sector is on course to achieve an economic contribution of £8bn by 2025.

Scottish Government Trade Minister Ivan McKee said: “Scotland has a long history of innovation – particularly in life sciences and use of innovative technology – right up to the work Scottish companies are leading on vaccines today.  Our approach to innovation is three-fold and encourages collaboration between industry, academia and the health service - making Scotland an attractive location for investors.

“Our Inward Investment Plan and Export Growth Plan set out how we will build on our existing strengths to support our society and economy and build a strong future for Scotland, and the Pavilion will be a valuable tool in promoting Scotland’s life sciences sector internationally.”

Within the platform, there is a specific Scottish pavilion that highlights just some of the excellence Scotland has to offer in the healthcare and life sciences sectors.  Several companies based in Scotland have already registered for the site, with others interested encouraged to contact info@ukhealthcarepavilion.com for more information.

Suzanne Sosna, interim Director of Global Trade at Scottish Enterprise said: “Scotland’s healthcare and life science sectors are highly regarded around the world due to our skilled workforce, the innovative companies located here and the collaborative environment created between the private sector and our public institutions.

“The pavilion will support our wider efforts to raise international awareness of the ground-breaking sectoral research taking place and showcase the innovative global healthcare solutions and technologies being developed in Scotland.  With so many businesses and consumers pivoting to e-commerce due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, this online resource will also significantly enhance the digital footprint of our healthcare and life science sectors.”

The UK Healthcare Pavilion is also supported by the Department for International Trade, Invest Northern Ireland and the Welsh Government, as well as UK consulates, embassies, and industry bodies around the world.

A mixture of trade and clinical associations are also supporting the site, including the Royal College of Surgeons, Royal College of Physicians, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the British Dental Industry Association (BDIA), the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA), Medcity, OneNucleus, the AHSN Network and The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Platform organisers hope this public/ private collaboration will ensure the most complete picture of the healthcare and life science sectors to date.

Paul Benton, Managing Director, International, at the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) said: “We are delighted to have worked with software developer Virti and other stakeholders to bring the UK Healthcare Pavilion to life.

“We know how special the UK’s healthcare and life sciences sector is, but there has never been a single front door that showcases its true breadth and capabilities. Throughout the pandemic, organisations have also told us how they are struggling to connect with global audiences due to the closure of physical borders. From there, the idea for the site was developed, to create a ‘go-to’ marketplace for visitors looking to discover, connect and innovate with the UK healthcare and life sciences sector.”