Scotland recognised as world-leader by Californian Institute of Regenerative Medicine
Scotland will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the prestigious Californian Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) today (Thursday 19th January).
Facilitated by Scottish Development International (SDI), the MoU will enable joint research between scientists and companies in Scotland and California and will explore the creation of a collaborative partnership between CIRM and Scotland. Signing will take place at the University of Edinburgh’s MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine.
Scotland’s global reputation for its world-leading capabilities in stem cell research led CIRM to actively look to develop partnerships with Scottish businesses and academia, creating the opportunity for both parties to realise ambitious projects by sharing expertise and innovation.
The aims for Scotland in signing the MoU are to:
· Further raise the awareness of Scotland’s profile in stem cells in the US, UK and internationally
· Encourage further links between Scottish companies and their commercial and academic counterparts in California
· Develop closer ties between Californian companies and Scottish clinicians.
Anne MacColl, chief executive of Scottish Development International said: “Scotland is globally recognised as a trailblazer in the life sciences sector and this MoU is further testament to our appeal as a partner of choice in ambitious world-leading projects.
”The signing of the MoU will provide an excellent foundation for Scottish companies to build relationships with Californian businesses. It will further boost Scotland’s profile as the primary location to undertake clinical trials, help to create new inward investment for Scotland and increase customers for our rapidly growing stem cell supply chain.
"These new relationships, together with our academic expertise, will also allow us to push new potential therapies, in areas such as cardiovascular disease, liver disease, neurological and retinal disorders and blood diseases, through to clinical trials - decreasing the time it takes for these therapies to become a reality and giving the Scottish life sciences sector an extra competitive edge.
“Scottish Development International is committed to supporting Scottish-based companies to work with Californian scientists and businesses on large-scale programmes, driving dynamic growth back into the Scottish economy. The works starts now. The opportunities are boundless.”
Providing grants and loans for stem cell research, facilities and opportunities in California, CIRM activity has meant that like Scotland, California is internationally recognised as one of the key locations for the innovation and commercialisation of stem cells. California is also now home to a number of companies that are developing new stem cell-based therapies - all of which presents huge opportunities for the Scottish regenerative medicine industry.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Scotland’s life sciences research is rightly regarded as among the very best in the world and we are determined to continue to build on that enviable reputation for the future.
“This work opens up opportunities for our researchers to work together and in partnership with CIRM to turn cutting-edge research into real health benefits. I am confident that this joint research agreement will give Scotland a competitive advantage in the global marketplace."
Alan Trounson, president of CIRM, said: “Scotland has robust stem cell research communities in both basic science and translational clinical science, which should create synergies with many projects in California and help us further leverage California’s investment in the field for the good of patients everywhere,”
This news comes at the same time as the finalists for the 2012 Scottish Enterprise Life Sciences Awards are announced. With four separate categories, nominees include Aircraft Medical Ltd, Dalgety Bay; Sistemic, Glasgow; Deliverics, Edinburgh; Encap Drug Delivery, Livingston and Ambicare Health Ltd, St.Andrews.
The winners of the awards will be announced at the Scottish Enterprise Life Sciences Annual dinner at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on Thursday 9 February. The keynote speaker will be Dr David Pulman, president of global manufacturing and supply at GlaxoSmithKline.
The Scottish Enterprise Annual Life Sciences dinner attracts more than 750 people from the life sciences community in the UK and abroad to celebrate Scotland’s most innovative companies across the sector.
The Nominees for the Scottish Enterprise Scottish Life Sciences Awards 2012 are:
Best new life science company in Scotland
· Deliverics Ltd, Edinburgh
· Sistemic, Glasgow
· Select Pharma Laboratories Ltd, Stirling
Innovation award
· Aircraft Medical Ltd, Dalgety Bay
· Ambicare Health Ltd, St.Andrews
· UWI Technology Ltd, Edinburgh
Life Sciences Business Leadership
· Aircraft Medical Limited, Dalgety Bay
· Encap Drug Delivery, Livingston
· Optos plc, Dunfermline
Outstanding contribution to the growth of Scottish Life Sciences
· Professor Chris Packard, Vascular Biochemistry Group, Glasgow
· Kevin Moore OBE, Business Therapies Ltd, Hamilton
· Professor Patricia Connolly, University of Strathclyde
Scottish Health Innovations Ltd award for best innovation originating within NHS Scotland
Monitoring of ischaemia via pH – Alan Johnstone – Grampian Health Board
Prosthetic disc nucleus – Doug Wardlaw – Grampian Health Board
Air Trap Device - Graham Bell - Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board
In 2004, Scottish Enterprise, working with leading academics, clinicians and companies, developed an ambitious, long-term plan to consolidate the academic strengths and build a vibrant industry. The Stem Cell Intervention Framework represents an investment of c. £90m, including £34m from SE.
Scotland’s stem cell landscape has strengthened further this year with 20 Scottish companies now actively involved in the field across the supply chain.
The new £60m Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, with its state-of-the-art GMP facilities, will maintain Scotland’s cutting-edge research base.
About CIRM
CIRM was established in November 2004 with the passage of Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act. The statewide ballot measure, which provided $3 billion in funding for stem cell research at California universities and research institutions, was overwhelmingly approved by voters, and called for the establishment of an entity to make grants and provide loans for stem cell research, research facilities, and other vital research opportunities. A list of grants and loans awarded to date may be seen here: http://www.cirm.ca.gov/for-researchers/researchfunding.
About MRC-CRM
The MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM) is a world leading research centre based at the University of Edinburgh. Together we study stem cells, disease and tissue repair to advance human health.
Our research is aimed at developing new treatments for major diseases including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease, and liver failure.