Life sciences boom at Edinburgh BioQuarter

Cutting-edge life sciences research is being expanded in Edinburgh, at the city’s dedicated facility for academic research, clinical professionals and industry expertise.

Three new specialist research companies – Science Squared, R-Biomedical and Marks and Clerks – are opening today at the city’s BioQuarter research campus, bringing the total from seven to ten.

First Minister Alex Salmond made the announcement today during a visit to the BioQuarter, describing it as “a significant boost for a sector that is growing jobs and economic opportunities in Scotland” and cited it as further proof of “Scotland’s growing reputation for excellence in life sciences”.

Today’s expansion means the life sciences provision at the BioQuarter – based at Nine, a flagship multi-occupancy building for early stage and established life sciences companies – has grown by more than a third in the last month alone.

During his visit the First Minister met with representatives of three existing BioQuarter companies – Roslin Cells, i2eye Diagnostics and TPP – and Swedish company Molnlycke, which is expanding after being on-site just six months.

Mr Salmond said:

“These three businesses represent a growing trend for life sciences companies to locate/set up in Scotland. Here at Nine at the BioQuarter, they bring the total number of specialist life science businesses up 30 per cent in one day.

“Science Squared, R-Biomedical and Marks and Clerks are at the cutting edge of an industry where Scotland excels internationally, and where our academics work with business to maximise the commercial and medical possibilities from research.

“Their opening at BioQuarter increases the concentration of life sciences companies at Edinburgh’s centre of excellence, and it represents a significant boost for a sector that is growing jobs and economic opportunities in Scotland.

“It follows an expansion at BioQuarter by Swedish company Molnlycke, just six months after they moved in.

“These developments are further proof, if any were needed, of Scotland’s growing reputation for excellence in life sciences.”

Dr Lena Wilson, chief executive, Scottish Enterprise, said:

"Our ambition for Edinburgh BioQuarter to become one of the world's leading hubs for life sciences innovation is fast becoming a reality. In just nine months since it officially opened, more than half of the space of the Nine incubator has already been taken over by innovative life sciences companies.

"Scotland's life sciences industry already contributes more than £3 billion a year to the Scottish economy with over 650 organisations employing in excess of 32,000 people and we need to look at how we continue to build on its success. Edinburgh BioQuarter is one of the industry's flagship projects and will ensure we have the right infrastructure in place to support ambitious Scottish life sciences companies at all stages of development as well as attract major international corporations to Scotland."

The visit is part of the First Minister’s week of showcasing Scottish scientific excellence, which will also see the launch of a Higgs Prize for school physics students and the appointment of 33 new health research fellows.

Mr Salmond added:

“As these new arrivals at BioQuarter and the expansion of Molnlycke demonstrate, Scotland is an acknowledged world leader in science. Our expertise in the field is worth billions of pounds to our economy and some 170,000 jobs.

“Tonight I will be formally launching the Higgs Prize for school students, honouring the world-renowned University of Edinburgh physics professor Peter Higgs. Later in the week will come the appointment of 33 new health research fellows – whose work will also combine groundbreaking medical research with the potential to translate into market-ready innovations.

“Our proud history of scientific discovery is providing the foundation for an exciting future of Scottish scientific excellence.”