"The quality of our research and technology combined with our integrated life sciences strategy giveus a competitive advantage in the global healthcare market and allow us to confidently predict Scotland's growth as  a life sciences sector," says Rhona Allison, senior director, Life Sciences, Scottish Development International (SDI).

The Edinburgh BioQuarter partnership between (Alexandria Real Estate (lUS-based landlord of choice to the life science industry ARE), Scottish Enterprise, SDI, the University of Edinburgh and the National Health Service is developing a new European life sciences hub, bringing together a number of research assets, including the new Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine (SCRM ).

This centre, headed  up by Professor Charles ffrench-Constant  (left) and advised by Sir Ian Wilmut, will join the existing research community of 1,200 scientists in a brand new facility in the heart of the BioQuarter. The BioQuarter's bioincubator building is set to welcome its first tenants in 2012 and will provide more than 80,000 sq.ft office and lab space.

The breadth of companies at BIO 2011 is testament to Scotland's environment of scientific excellence and translation of cutting-edge science into clinical results.

Earlier this month, Glasgow biopharmaceutical firm Lamellar Biomedical announced that its lead clinical candidate LMS-611 for the treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis has received Orphan Drug Designation from the European Commission, an important step toward developing new and effective treatments to address one of the most common chronic lung diseases among children and young people.

Translational medicine continues to be an essential component of Scotland's success in the life sciences, highlighted by the Scottish Academic Health Sciences Collaboration (SAHSC ) which streamlines company engagement with Scotland's patient-oriented clinical research platform among NHS Scotland and university partners in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Contract research and testing services are also a springboard for growth in Scotland with more than 60 Scotland-based companies offering these services.  BioOutsource Ltd  in Glasgow, has just announced expanded capabilities to offer GLP, GMP and GCP compliant analytical chemistry, biosafety and immunology testing to deliver quality contract  services to biopharmaceutical clients.

Scotland's ability to attract world-class talent and support scientific leadership is further demonstratedby GlobalScots, a network of global Scottish business leaders who will be convening at BIO this year to offer more than a dozen Scottish companies advice on business strategy. Two notable Scottish life science leaders, Dr. John Brown CBE (left) and Kevin Moore OBE were recently honored by Queen Elizabeth for their contributions to the field.

"Scotland not only offers a wealth of scientific and business advantages, but  an energised, interconnected community where life science companies can thrive in a competitive global economy," said Allison.

 
Scottish Companies and Organisations at BIO

Advocates Ltd 
Angel Biotechnology 
Arrayjet 
BioOutsource Ltd 
Biopta 
Biotech Innovation & Future Health Ltd
ChimaeraBio
EctoPharma 
Equateq 
GT Biologics Limited 
Lamellar Biomedical
Marks & Clerk 
NovaBiotics 
Ocutec Limited
QCTR 
Scottish Biomedical 
Shepherd and Wedderburn 
Sistemic 
Symbiosis 
Tissue Solutions 
University of Dundee 
University of Edinburgh