Scottish Enterprise confirms four new tenants for Nine the BioQuarter
Four more companies have joined the growing community of life sciences tenants at Nine The BioQuarter, an industry-leading laboratory and office building situated at the BioQuarter campus on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
Mölnlycke Health Care Scotland, a subsidiary of Mölnlycke Health Care AB, a Swedish business with global interests in wound care and surgical products, has taken lab and office space extending to 1040 square feet following its agreement of a collaborative partnership with medical researchers at the University of Edinburgh’s College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.
They will be joined by BioQuarter spin-out i2eye Diagnostics Ltd, creators of the world’s first visual field analyser for young children and other patient groups, who have taken an office at Nine. Roslin Cells, providers of Stem Cells for research and therapeutic use, have taken four offices and a laboratory in the building, whilst Calcivis Limited, a company undertaking research into the early detection of active tooth decay, has also taken office space.
Rhona Allison, director of life sciences, Scottish Enterprise, said: "These four new tenants mean that the bio-incubator is now forty per cent occupied less than six months after its official opening. Scotland's life sciences industry contributes over £3 billion a year to the Scottish economy with over 640 organisations employing in excess of 32,000 people. It's our role to ensure that this continues and Scottish Enterprise is committed to encouraging more ambitious life sciences companies at all stages of development, from new spin-out firms to major international corporations to locate at the world-leading Edinburgh BioQuarter."
This news comes on the same day that Finance Secretary John Swinney welcomed progress across Scotland’s four Enterprise Areas – one of which is Edinburgh BioQuarter. Mr Swinney announced plans to create four Enterprise Areas across 14 sites earlier this year. The Enterprise Areas are sectorally focused on the industries with the greatest potential to boost economic growth: life sciences; general manufacturing and growth sectors; low carbon/renewables east; and low carbon/renewables north.
Incentives and actions to stimulate investment in these area include: business rate discounts worth up to £275,000 per business or enhanced capital allowances, as an alternative at three sites where significant capital expenditure is anticipated; new streamlined planning protocols across all sites; bespoke skills and training support; an international marketing campaign to promote the site opportunities; and the provision of next generation broadband by 2015 at the latest.
Mr Swinney said: The Scottish Government and our enterprise agencies are working hard to retain Scotland’s position as the most competitive environment for business in the UK.
“Enterprise Areas are another means to secure new investment in our communities and to create jobs across our growth sectors, and I am delighted they are delivering results.
“The BioQuarter has secured four more tenants, taking its occupancy rate up to 40 per cent with seven tenants now located onsite. This demonstrates Scotland has the quality infrastructure and workforce to secure investment in life sciences.
“We have also seen a commitment from GlaxoSmithKline to invest £55 million in developing their Irvine facilities, while Forres Enterprise Park in Moray has secured its first tenant and eTek Europe Limited has occupied manufacturing premises in Prestwick International Aerospace Park.
“There has also been notable progress in our low carbon/Renewables North sites, which has seen companies locate at Hatston and Lyness, and a £20m upgrade of Scrabster Harbour completed.
“Over the coming months, the Scottish Government will continue to work closely with enterprise agencies to secure jobs and investment to these sites, which are strategic locations for some of our key growth sectors. Our Enterprise Areas are open for business and Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise will work closely with local authorities and the business community to fully capitalise on the economic potential of each site.”