Partnership between Japan and Scotland will encourage commercialisation of life sciences projects
Scottish life sciences companies to build on existing Kyoto-Edinburgh academic and research links
Collaboration between Scotland and Japan’s life sciences industries has been boosted by an agreement to support companies to develop joint projects in the field of regenerative medicine.
A programme of activity to take place in each country will be launched with a visit from the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS) of Kyoto University and Japanese life science businesses to Scotland in July. The visiting companies will be offered use of office space at the Edinburgh BioQuarter as a touch down facility in a bid to strengthen collaborative working and maximise opportunities for Japanese investment in the Scottish life sciences community.
The programme will also see support for Scottish companies visiting Kyoto later in the year.
Welcoming the announcement at a Life Sciences Collaboration seminar in Kyoto organised by Professors Nakatsuji and Asada of iCeMS, Finance Secretary John Swinney, who is Chair of the Edinburgh BioQuarter said:
“Stimulating more innovative collaboration projects between Scotland and Japan is a key priority for the economic growth of both countries and the strong ties between Edinburgh and Kyoto help to identify and deepen relationships between key academic institutions and pioneering companies.
“The cities of Kyoto and Edinburgh signed a friendship agreement in 1997. That friendship now holds out the very real prospect of transforming human health outcomes and enhancing scientific and commercial opportunities for our two countries.
"Scotland has a growing and dynamic life sciences sector is a key for economic growth in Scotland with over 650 life sciences organisations employing more than 32,500 people and we have a long history of collaborative working across industry, academia and the NHS.
“Today’s announcement builds on a research agreement between University of Edinburgh’s Medical Research Council for Regenerative Medicine (MRC-CRM) and Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), Kyoto University.
“This agreement has led to a number of substantive joint research collaborations reaching product development stage and the resulting commercialisation will contribute to advancement of regenerative medicine and innovations in the biomedical industry of both countries.
“Earlier today I met with Kyoto Governor Mr Keji Yamada. The Kyoto area is home to some 250 life science businesses and 37 institutes of higher education.
“Building research and collaboration links with these institutions and companies will help boost Scotland’s profile as a trade and investment location.
“Professors Nakatsuji and Asada, whose work at iCeMS is facilitating growing number of exchanges between our life sciences companies, are to be congratulated. Their work provides a model for closer links between our countries to support growth in other key areas including renewables and the creative industries.”
Professor Asada said:
“Having spent two years working in Edinburgh myself, at the Fujisawa Institute of Neuroscience, and helping to organise many trade missions to Scotland for Japanese companies, I’m delighted that this collaboration will now become even more concrete.
“In July, when Japanese businesses once again visit Edinburgh to strengthen our trade links, iCeMS will join researchers, businesses and investors at Edinburgh’s BioQuarter. I look forward to ever closer collaboration between our two research communities, universities, businesses and countries.”
Anne MacColl, chief executive of Scottish Development International said:
“SDI has focused its efforts on increasing the life sciences collaborations between between Edinburgh and Kyoto for a number of years and we’ve worked closely with iCeMS to facilitate this programme of reciprocal visits.
"By doing this, we can help Japanese companies pursue opportunities for innovation with Scotland and enable Scottish life sciences businesses to build relationships with their Japanese counterparts - ultimately leading to increased international trade and investment for the Scottish economy."
Mr Swinney will announce in Kyoto that a delegation of around 10 Japanese life sciences companies will visit Scotland 1-3 July 2013 on mission organised by SDI
Companies will have 1-2-1 meetings with Scottish biotech companies as well as visiting the Edinburgh BioQuarter and the MRC-CRM research facilities
Scottish Government and Scottish Development International will provide ongoing support to the Japanese companies, including help and assistance to find accommodation for operations in Scotland, such as space at the Edinburgh BioQuarter to create an iCeMS Open Innovation Office.