Collaboration blueprint for life sciences success
Scotland’s life sciences sector will take a major step forward today, 29 October 2009, with the launch of Life Sciences Scotland Connections.
This collaborative initiative which incorporates a network across industry, academia, the health service and wider public sector will provide a co-ordinated view of Scotland’s vibrant life sciences sector showcasing its key achievements, capabilities and highlighting ongoing initiatives.
The launch forms part of a series of Life Sciences events hosted by the BIA, ABPI and Scottish Enterprise which include a CEO forum and dinner in Edinburgh to highlight achievements of the Life Sciences Advisory Board (LiSAB) and to showcase Scottish companies.
The collaboration initiative will bring together Scotland’s life sciences community to support and direct the exchange of information to help meet the objectives of the refreshed Scottish Life Sciences Strategy, which was launched in 2008.
Key aspects of Life Sciences Scotland Connections include:
- Stimulation of new collaborative working between life science companies in Scotland and the NHS/academic sector.
- Coordinated promotion of Life Sciences Scotland partner organisations where they can develop collective aims and objectives in connecting and communicating Scotland’s current successes, potential benefits and advantages to global markets.
- A new web presence with a dynamic web portal which gathers together the totality of Scotland’s life sciences sector.
- Coordinated meetings across the entire range of topics that constitute the Life Sciences arena.
- Dissemination via newsletters, press articles and e-bulletins of Life Sciences Scotland successes.
- Enhanced profiling of Scotland’s star life sciences researchers, innovative companies and strategic partnerships with global companies.
Developed by the industry and in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Life Sciences Scotland Connections builds on Scotland’s thriving community spirit by driving collaborative sector improvements through the effective management of co-ordinated publications, marketing, communications and events.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: “Scotland’s life sciences industry employs more than 30,000 people, contributes £3billion to our economy, and is a key area of future growth. It is based on our world famous scientific heritage and more medical research is carried out per head of population in Scotland than anywhere else in Europe. The Scottish Government is determined to further enhance this enviable reputation for excellence.
“Life Sciences Scotland Connections is an innovative project which will ensure all those working in the life sciences sector will be able to share information and network more easily. This will help to attract further investment in this dynamic sector which, through the research it supports, brings direct benefits to patients in Scotland and the wider world.”
Dr John Brown, chair of the Life Science Industry Advisory Group (LISAB) said: “It will be the collaborative nature of Scotland’s companies, academics, the health service and Government that will underpin sustained competitiveness in life sciences. Life Sciences Scotland Connections is another great step forward in bringing the life sciences community to work more closely together to build on our current successes and achieve our vision.”
Chris Packard, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, on behalf of the Life Sciences network community said “Within the NHS, academic and industrial communities there is an increasing appreciation of the benefits of centres of excellence coming together to pool resources and expertise. There is genuine excitement at the possibilities that well constructed collaborations across Scotland will lead to a step change in our ability to generate world leading medical research.”
Rhona Allison, senior director of Life Sciences at Scottish Enterprise, commented: “The implementation of the industry led Life Sciences Scotland strategy is delivering many success stories for Scotland. This initiative, Life Sciences Scotland Connections, is true collaboration in action. It is a major step for Scotland in providing a well connected leading global business environment for life science organisations to further grow and develop.”
With strong industry involvement, the initiative promises to deliver consistent, clear and coordinated information about Scottish life sciences both within the UK and abroad, helping to build on the well-established foundation of life sciences success in Scotland.
Life Sciences Advisory Board (LiSAB)
LiSAB is a joint industry, enterprise and government strategy team that plays a crucial role in ensuring Scotland has the best possible environment for fledgling technologies and established players alike. It fosters support and discussion between key players in the life sciences sector and those responsible for government policy-making at the very highest level.
LiSAB has a very active remit; to develop and drive overall life sciences strategy in Scotland; developing an environment where ingenuity and innovation can create jobs and wealth for Scotland, as well as genuine benefits for the global community.
LiSAB consists of representatives across the spectrum of the life science community: CEOs and senior managers from pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical devices and diagnostics companies; research organisations; Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Government, Universities and the NHS.
LiSAB’s remit is:
Set the overall Strategy for the growth of the Life Sciences sector of Scotland.
Advise the Government, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise on key issues the industry is facing and to provide suggestions on how partners can address those issues identified as becoming potential barriers to the growth of the industry
To provide feedback to Scottish Enterprise, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and the Government on their current and proposed interventions within the life sciences sector, with suggestions for improvements/changes as the marketplace changes.