Some of the most significant contributions to the life sciences in Scotland have been in the field of embryology and developmental biology, including the cloning of the first mammal, Dolly the sheep, ten years ago at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh. This research has provided a platform for pioneering developments in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine research. Scotland is home to some of the most advanced basic research and clinical facilities in the world and consistently attracts leading experts to the country to take advantage of its immense resources.  

Scotland's success and international acclaim for its stem cell research can be attributed to several factors, including a skilled workforce, government support, and a top academic community. More medical research is conducted per capita in Scotland than anywhere else in Europe, and Edinburgh is at the forefront of stem cell research. The city is home to the University's Institute for Stem Cell Research (ISCR, 

), a designated MRC, a designated Medical Research Council center of excellence. Edinburgh also has one of the largest concentrations of clinical scientists and researchers, whose stem cell research activities in Edinburgh are supported by major infrastructure investments.  

Most recently, the Center for Regenerative Medicine was established at the new $1-billion Center for Biomedical Research (

www.scottish-enterprise.com/biomedicalcentre

) in Edinburgh, encompassing a state-of the-art teaching hospital, the University of Edinburgh's world-renowned medical school and research institutes, and a 100-acre science park development. Professor Ian Wilmut, creator of Dolly the sheep, has been appointed to lead this new Regenerative Medicine Center, which will include scientists from the ISCR, the Roslin Institute, and the University of Edinburgh Medical School. Such investments are designed to strengthen the capabilities in basic research and its translation into clinical reality. Moreover, start-up companies are given the opportunity to build a solid foundation among an internationally acclaimed stem cell community. 

Paul De Sousa, MD, formerly of Roslin Institute, recently relocated to the University of Edinburgh, where he is focusing on developing good manufacturing practice (GMP) procedures for human embryonic stem cell derivation. In September 2006, with financial backing from Scottish Enterprise, Dr. De Sousa and colleagues launched Roslin Cells (

), which aims to advance stem cell research in Scotland and abroad by making it more economical to purchase lines derived using GMP procedures.  

Prior to his involvement with Roslin Cells, Dr. De Sousa successfully created human embryos through virgin conception (i.e., parthenotes) and was granted a human-cloning license, along with Ian Wilmut, by the UK's Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (

International companies are also expanding into Scotland to utilize the expertise offered by research institutes, universities, and the industry as a whole. For those looking to take advantage of Scotland's major stem cell and life sciences laboratories, access is easy, with 80% of the entire life sciences industry within a 50-mile radius of three of the country's main cities—Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dundee.  

Stem cell research and manufacturing powerhouses, such as Stem Cell Sciences Ltd (

), are prime examples of world-renowned companies conducting research in Scotland.  

Also instrumental to Scotland's success is an organization that unites those interested in or conducting this type of research. The Scottish Stem Cell Network (SSCN, 

), launched in 2003, brings together scientists and clinicians to improve the rate at which laboratory research translates into therapeutic benefits for patients. The SSCN works with the entire stem cell community in Scotland, including academic institutions and clinical and industry-based research groups, and also provides international organizations with easy access to stem cell researchers in Scotland. Another unique feature about the SSCN is the organization's role in engaging the general public to participate in open debates on issues deemed controversial with regards to this type of research.  

Scotland is an ideal location in which to conduct stem cell research, with a powerful life sciences research and technology base and an equally supportive regulatory environment. Through advanced research led by globally respected stem cell experts and advanced facilities, Scotland is poised to continue to lead the way in the biomedical applications of cell biology. 

Articles

The Scottish Stem Cell Network brings together the entire stem-cell community in Scotland.

Stem Cell Industry Puts Scotland in the Spotlight

Over the last several years, there has been a greater impetus to bringing drugs and various treatments to market more rapidly, while reducing costs. Outsourcing clinical research has offered biopharmaceutical companies an opportunity to select a variety of regions with extensive clinical expertise and more favorable regulatory environments to conduct safe, economical, and efficient clinical trials. Scotland has been a prime choice for such companies deciding where to outsource clinical research, with three of the top seven clinical research organizations (CRO) located there, along with many others that meet specific needs of today's biopharmaceutical industry. 

Scotland has a well established research and development base, with more medical research being conducted per capita there than anywhere else in Europe. Moreover, 20% of all the money spent on clinical research in the UK is spent in Scotland. The country's talent pool and substantial number of life sciences graduates has drawn international acclaim to its clinical and biomedical expertise. CROs employ more than 2,000 people in Edinburgh alone.  

In addition, Scotland has a reputable network of more than 40 pharmaceutical clinical trials and contract research organizations. CROs such as Quintiles (

) are located there and offer an attractive setting for conducting clinical research. Other specialist CROs include Nexxus BioMed (

), which has recently made Scotland its European base. Key innovators such as these companies and others contribute to the country's strong clinical pipeline. With approximately 19 drugs in clinical development at this time, the pipeline continues to grow as nearly 75% of those projects are in Phase 2 or beyond.  

Aside from Scotland's research facilities, the country also has a unique patient base within which clinical trials can be conducted. Researchers looking to carry out epidemiology studies for specific diseases can form collaborations with the National Health Service (NHS) of Scotland, which provides each patient with a unique identifier. Scotland's patient population, in turn, is supportive of trials, thus giving researchers an easily accessible participation pool needed to carry out clinical trials.  

Unprecedented research is also being conducted nearby at local universities, such as the University of Dundee (

), where researchers are producing native recombinant human drug-metabolizing enzymes in bacteria. Nearby, the University of Glasgow, along with the NHS of Greater Glasgow (

), last year created the Glasgow Biomedicine project, an initiative designed to boost research and facilitate clinical trials for diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders.  

Company Spotlight: Organon Research Scotland			

Overall, R&D spending in Scotland is forecasted to increase dramatically over the next few years. Scotland offers unique capabilities to biopharmaceutical companies looking to outsource their R&D and accelerate the rate at which their products reach market.  

With lower labor costs compared to other locations in Europe and the United States, Scotland is an economically advantageous choice on the road to less expensive patents. The country also enjoys a supportive environment from the government, the NHS, academia, and anchored industry leaders. As international partnerships continue to propel clinical research forward, Scotland offers the ideal location to develop the next generation of advances in the life sciences and medical industries. 

R&D spending in Scotland is forecasted to increase dramatically over the next few years.

The Next Generation: Scottish R&D in Life Sciences

The Scottish life sciences community is greatly enriched by its ability to attract talent from all around the world. The web site 

, created by Scottish Enterprise, actively promotes Scotland as a destination, and highly trained people come from all over the globe to take positions in life sciences organizations in Scotland.  

Once they arrive, life scientists and clinicians remark on the open and collaborative environment they find here. They value the advantages of relatively concentrated centers of excellence and the benefits of open dialogue across a wide range of disciplines.  

An Austrian proteomics specialist, Professor Walter Kolch, now of the University of Glasgow, had precisely that reaction. "I have found Scotland to be immensely welcoming," he says. "It isn't always easy to get used to the weather, but it's very easy to like the people." Kolch, Professor Ijeoma Uchegbu, and Professor Anna Dominiczak are examples of the top-level scientists who have discovered an excellent collaborative environment in the Scottish life sciences sector.  

Ijeoma Uchegbu, PhD, is a professor of drug delivery at the Nanomedicines Research Center at the University of Strathclyde (

) and a founding director of biopharmaceutical company Nanomerics (http://

), a university spinout company. She is extensively involved with innovative research surrounding drug delivery and, in particular, with ways of raising the effectiveness of drug treatments which are normally insoluble in water and therefore have a poor pharmacokinetic profile.  

Having graduated in pharmacy at the University of Benin in Nigeria and obtained a Masters degree from the University of Lagos in Nigeria, Professor Uchegbu gained a PhD in drug delivery at the School of Pharmacy, University of London, before coming to Scotland in 1997.  

As a pharmacist married to a biologist, it is not surprising that her professional passion lies in finding better ways to enable drugs to do their work within the body. She works extensively with her husband, Dr. Andreas Schatzlein, a biologist at the Center for Oncology and Applied Pharmacology at the University of Glasgow, and a director of Nanomerics. 

 "Our aim is to offer 'blue sky' solutions through the collaboration of biologists and pharmaceutical scientists to change the very architecture of drugs," she said. 

Uchegbu believes the West is well served with both scientific and clinical research facilities. She insists the argument that "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" is particularly relevant when talking about the interconnectivity of clinical and pharmaceutical sciences research. 

British Heart Foundation (BHF) Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, and director of the BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Center at the University of Glasgow, Anna Dominiczak, is one of the world's foremost medical researchers in cardiovascular health.  

Her work concentrates on the interaction of genes and the environment to help advance the understanding of why certain groups of people are more susceptible to cardiovascular disease than others.  

After graduating in medicine in Gdansk, Poland, Dominiczak first came to Glasgow in 1982. She describes the city as "a great place to 'grow up' in medical and research terms, through the positive culture of clinicians and scientists working side by side." 

The new British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Research Center (

) in Glasgow, which Professor Dominiczak heads, brings 140 cardiovascular researchers and support staff under one roof and provides a focus for a wider community of students, scientists, and clinicians from around the world.  

Professor Dominiczak believes strongly in the interconnectivity of scientific research. She feels strongly that one of the advantages of the active life sciences community in the West of Scotland is the opportunity available to all to draw together the threads of many different research projects.  

"Regardless of technology, life-changing discoveries are often made while chatting over a cup of coffee," she says. "The friendly environment surrounding the new center greatly facilitates both the formal and informal sharing of knowledge." 

Professor of Biomedical and Life Sciences at the University of Glasgow and group leader at the Beatson Institute, Glasgow, Professor Walter Kolch has a world-class reputation for his research in proteomics, cell signaling, and analytical biochemistry. His work centers on the principles of cancer growth and transformation and, in particular, of signal transduction pathways, or intercellular channels of communication.  

Born and educated in Austria, Professor Kolch worked extensively in both the US and Germany before moving to the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research (

) in Glasgow in 1998. He was appointed Professor of Molecular Cell Biology at the University of Glasgow in 2000.  

Professor Kolch is also a highly successful manager of research projects and was the lead applicant in the successful funding application, which led to the establishment of the Sir Henry Wellcome Functional Genomics Facility (SHWFGF) at the University of Glasgow in 2001.  

Professor Kolch points out that an essential part of scientific research is teamwork. His base in the West of Scotland places him at the forefront of biochemistry and signal transduction research/proteomics in Europe.  

Not least among the advantages he finds here is the approximately $21-million grant made in 2005 by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council—two of the most important granting institutions in the UK—for the development of proteomics technologies over a six-year period. This is a joint project involving researchers from three Scottish universities in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dundee. 

Professors Walter Kolch, Ijeoma Uchegbu, and Anna Dominiczak are examples of scientists who have discovered a collaborative environment in the Scottish life sciences sector.

The Talent Pool

				There is a high level of creative and innovative activity in the medical technology sector in Scotland —all based around the breadth of commercial, academic, and clinical capabilities. Today, Scotland is home to one of the most sizeable life sciences clusters in Europe and hosts a significant multinational medical technology presence in research and development as well as manufacturing. 

These companies are supported by globally recognized research, innovative industrial technology, and clinical excellence—all connected through a well networked community.  

Professor Trish Connolly, director of the University of Strathclyde's Institute of Medical Devices and Doctoral Training Center in Medical Devices. Photo courtesy of Nexxus (www.nexxusscotland.com)			

The global medical technology market is clearly attractive—it's large, fast growing, and offers earlier returns than other parts of life sciences. What is less well documented is Scotland's equally attractive proposition to businesses operating in this sector. Scotland is ideally positioned as a gateway to European and global markets.  

Scotland has several key strengths in medical technologies, which include: 					

Scotland is home to more than 130 medical technology companies, employing some 8,500 people, with particular strengths in diagnostics, wound care, implants, disposables, instrumentation, opthalmics, and imaging. 

These organizations range in size from smaller indigenous companies such as Axis-Shield (

) to major multinationals including J&J Medical (

Diverse and supportive supplier community.

 Scotland is home to over 150 support and supply companies—crucial to the effective operation of the sector.

Easy access to clinical skills and excellence.

 The clinical research base and clinical trials capabilities in Scotland are substantial. They include clinical trial support services offered by Charles River Laboratories, part of Inveresk Research (

), and the world's biggest healthcare delivery organization—the National Health Service (

. All of Scotland's 13 universities are involved in groundbreaking medical technology research. Hot spots are in imaging, ophthalmic, ortho-paedics, cardiovascular instrumentation, and implants. The diversity of research ranges from radiography and bioengineering, to biomaterials and biophotonics. 

 The Medical Devices Doctoral Training Centre (

) at the University of Strathclyde produces a dedicated pool of highly skilled employees, in addition to approximately 60,000 students who graduate each year with qualifications applicable to this sector. 

Scotland has a unique property portfolio—including dedicated life sciences parks such as the Centre for Biomedical Research, the Lanarkshire, and Dundee MediParks and more general technology parks—all offering world-class facilities. 

Depth of experience in related and convergent technologies. 

A developed history in related technology sectors such as micro- and opto-electronics, imaging, microsystems, precision engineering, software, pharmaceuticals, and biotech.

 Scotland has a host of industry associations and innovative organizations keen to develop the sector. These include Medical Devices in Scotland (

), and the Scottish Intermediary Technology Institutes (

Individually, each of these strengths is significant. Together, they constitute a compelling proposition. With the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh more than 500 years old, Scotland's proven medical history and bright future make it the ideal place for medical device design, manufacture, and commercialization. 

Individually, each of these strengths is significant. Together, they constitute a compelling proposition.

A Capable Community

The life sciences industry continues to move at an astonishing pace. Covering biotechnology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, informatics, tools, instrumentation, and device companies, the sector draws from a vast, multidisciplinary array of technologies including optical, software, engineering, electronics, and nanotechnology.  

Today, we are witnessing the rise of a relatively new breed of life science players—dubbed "convergence" companies—who combine this extraordinary diversity of skill sets with the commercial savvy required to turn science into real-world solutions. Such application of robust, proven technologies to find new solutions for new markets is creating a revolution across the world and is something at which Scotland excels.  

David Gow of Touch Bionics, part of a new generation of commercially savvy convergence companies			

Longer life expectancies in the developed world and a growing impetus to tackle threats to global health are driving a phenomenal acceleration in innovation and development among the life sciences community. It has been predicted that, within the year, biotechnology and healthcare products will account for 18% of GDP in the US.  

This huge opportunity is already being seized by multinational companies such as 3Com (

), which provide communication solutions for telemedicine; Agilent (

), which develops LED tools for surgical visualization; IBM (

), which markets software tools for computational drug discovery; and GE Healthcare (

), which provides next-generation cardiovascular imaging. Such organizations are leading the way by developing pioneering applications of new technologies for the healthcare and life sciences markets.  

For Scotland's part, innovation in the fields of opto- and micro-electronics, engineering, and software is now being exploited by a commercially savvy new generation of convergence businesses driving products into these key global markets. Companies such as Biopta (

) are all punching above their weight with a range of product solutions. Livingstone-based Craneware (

) is making a splash in the US market, selling financial management software solutions tailored to the specific needs of healthcare providers. 

) has also recently announced a new research and development program in the emerging area known as "theranostics." This exciting new field aims to combine diagnostic data with therapeutic solutions to customize treatments for individual patients. The program showcases the strength and depth of expertise found in Scotland's life sciences community, drawing on a multidisciplinary collaboration between Lab901 (

), and the Centre for Genomic Technology and Informatics at Edinburgh University (

Convergence companies, by the very nature of their business, are driven by collaboration and partnerships. Whether technical or commercial, the alliance of knowledge and expertise from different sectors and markets provides a compelling proposition.  

An example of how this translates into business benefit is Voxar, the Edinburgh-based company founded in 1995 by Andrew Bissell to develop three-dimensional medical visualization software solutions for the clinical market. Voxar's success in forging strategic partnerships with many of the world's leading original equipment manufacturers played a key part in the eventual acquisition of the company by the Belgian company Barco (

) in September 2004. This move has led to major investment in the integrated business and significant growth in sales over the last two years. 

Their agility, relatively rapid time to market, and reliance on proven technologies make convergence companies an attractive proposition to partners and investors alike. So, with Scotland's crop of homegrown talent knocking loudly on international doors, what is good for these companies is also good for our global standing and the advancement of medicine across the world. 

The life sciences industry continues to move at an astonishing pace. Covering biotechnology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, informatics, tools, instrumentation, and device companies, the sector draws from a vast, multidisciplinary array of technologies including optical, software, engineering, electronics, and nanotechnology.

The Grand Alliances

With continued success over the last few years, Scotland's life sciences sector is thriving and has a very promising future in sight. The country's growth in this sector can be attributed to major breakthroughs in several research areas and international partnerships. With continued advances in science, however, come several changes to the life sciences globally. Methods of diagnosing and treating diseases will undoubtedly change as a result of the sequencing of the genome and as the genetic basis of more and more diseases is revealed. The use of nanotechnology will allow more targeted drug delivery, and new technologies are allowing medical devices to be less invasive and more site-specific. Other major shifts have included increased outsourcing of R&D and the integration of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to meet the rise in demand of un-met medical needs more efficiently. Scotland is eager to capitalize on these global changes as many of country's strengths lie in these very areas.  

Scotland's life sciences sector comprises more than 590 organizations, with nearly 29,500 employees. The country is making significant contributions to biomedical research and is already recognized as a leader in stem cell research, neuroscience, cancer research, genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics. With a strong research base, an excellent academic community, and home to many of the world's leading experts in their respective fields, Scotland is and will continue to be a premier choice for research partnerships and global expansions.  

) announced that it would integrate all of its existing sites in Scotland to create a European "super-center." This facility will also be the company's European headquarters with approximately $17 million invested in its development.  With its solid history of cutting edge research, a supportive life sciences cluster, and a highly qualified base of workers, Scotland was the optimal choice for Invitrogen's European headquarters.  

In April 2006, another major announcement was made that will solidify Scotland's role as a leader in not only developing innovative treatments for some of the world's most debilitating diseases, but also for speeding up the process of bringing them from bench to bedside. This deal, worth approximately $95 million, was signed by Wyeth Pharmaceutical Co. (

) to develop the world's first Translational Medicine Research Collaboration in Scotland. Through the use of biomarkers in monitoring the progress and response to treatments of various diseases, translational medicine allows researchers to develop new drugs more rapidly. With the participation of Scotland's four leading clinically based medical schools (Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen), along with Wyeth, Scottish Enterprise, and the National Health Service Boards in Grampian, Greater Glasgow, Lothian, and Tayside, the magnitude of this partnership is unparalleled.  

Perhaps one of the most challenging but ultimately promising areas of study in this century is  stem cell research. Scotland is already well distinguished in this field and will continue advancing the applicability of stem cells in treating several of the world's deadliest diseases.  

Aside from being home to many of the top stem cell experts and having an unmatched academic environment, the country has a favorable regulatory environment, funding support from its government, and some of the most advanced research facilities in the world. 

) was founded, a non-profit company that will be commercializing human stem cell lines. What is unique about Roslin's offering is that these human stem cell lines will be sold worldwide with unencumbered intellectual property rights, accelerating the process of developing medicines and treatments.  

This activity also reinforces Scotland's role in facilitating stem cell research, allowing scientists to access human stem cell lines on a non-profit basis and help start-up companies enter the stem cell arena.  

Scotland's academic community offers industry the solid research foundation it needs to thrive in competitive markets. International life sciences powerhouses have sought out Scottish universities to facilitate progress in targeted industry areas. Geron Corporation (

), for instance, is collaborating with the University of Edinburgh (

) to conduct preclinical safety and efficacy studies with three types of cells derived from human embryonic stem cells. The research will take place at the Center for Regenerative Medicine, which provides not only state-of-the-art research facilities but also the expertise of leading scientists, such as Ian Wilmut, the creator of Dolly the sheep, in a rich environment for the advancement of stem cell research.  

Another major collaboration is at University of Dundee's  (

) Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT) and involves six of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies including AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck Co. Inc., Merck KGaA, and Pfizer. This partnership was formed to advance the study of cell signaling and research kinase and phosphatase inhibitors for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. The University of Dundee is also on the forefront of many of the world's most advanced cancer studies, along with the Beatson Cancer Research Institute (

). The close proximity among Scotland's major universities allows easy access for major collaborations among them and with nearby companies. In fact, 80% of the entire life sciences industry lies within a 50-mile radius of three of Scotland's main cities—Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee—providing easy access to the country's major life sciences centers. 

Scotland's leading status in the life sciences will be strengthened in the coming years with several new developments in the pipeline, giving Scotland a new national identity as a life sciences hub. Under the new "Life Sciences Scotland" brand (

), Scotland will market its life sciences capabilities to global investors and potential overseas partners, promoting the full breadth and depth of capability across the nation. 

Among the strongest assets strengthening the Life Sciences Scotland brand will be the new Center for Biomedical Research (

), part of the Edinburgh Science Triangle, which will position Edinburgh as one of the top ten cities for biomedical investments.  

Additionally, the Life Sciences Alliance, formed last year and comprising senior representatives from the key public and private sector organizations involved in Scotland's Life Sciences, will aim to encourage closer working relationships among industry, academia, the National Health Service, and policy makers at a national level to facilitate Scottish innovation well into the twenty-first century. 

is the director of life sciences for Scottish Enterprise, 150 Broomielaw, Atlantic Quay, Glasgow, Scotland, G2 8LU, tel. +141 228 2499, 

Scotland is a recognized leader in stem cell research, neuroscience, cancer research, genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics.

Scotland: Ushering in the next age of life sciences

Although several European countries boast centers of  activity, few offer as many resources as the network that comprises Scotland's centers of excellence: Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the Highlands & Islands. Each area includes some of the world's best universities, research institutes, and industry giants, all within close proximity to each other, optimizing the number of resources available to researchers. This is most impressive considering Scotland's size relative to other countries with a population of approximately five million people. However, the country's tradition of innovation continues to guide the excellence across a gamut of life sciences from biopharmaceuticals and stem cell research to medical devices and manufacturing.  

Consistently outperforming the growth of the local economy over the past 20 years, Aberdeen has remained a dynamic and prosperous location.  

Center for Biomedical Research, Edinburgh			

Although Aberdeen is most distinguished for its oil, gas, and subsea technology developments, the city boasts a proven reputation in life sciences. Not only does the University of Aberdeen's College of Life Sciences and Medicine (

) has an impressive reputation for medical research innovations, but the Aberdeen Science & Technology Park (

The Aberdeen Science and Technology Park offers a variety of innovative resources to aid companies interested in developing new research and technology across a range of fields. In fact, with more than 50 tenants and approximately 750 employees, the Aberdeen Science and Technology Park offers a diverse consortium of knowledge and expertise for collaboration and other development projects. One of the Park's major resources is its links to medical and biotechnologies, fostering a small hub of life sciences research tied to the academic community in Aberdeen. 

Exhibiting a strong focus in life sciences with its College of Life Sciences and Medicine, the University of Aberdeen demonstrates powerful ties to the industry along with the local Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS, 

). Programs at the IMS range from translational medicine research and systems biology to cancer biology research and neurobiology. Offering researchers a significant advantage as one of the largest teaching hospital sites in Europe, Aberdeen is a prime example of the regional collaborations taking place in Scotland among scientists and clinicians. Innovation at the University is exemplified through a collection of spin-out companies and licensing opportunities.  

Lifescan Scotland plays a major role in the development of a healthcare and biotechnology cluster in Inverness, helping secure the long-term future of the bio-medical sector in the Highlands and Islands.			

The Institute of Applied Health Sciences at The Robert Gordon University (

) adds another layer to the region's attractiveness by developing leading population-based studies on healthcare worldwide. Scientists conducting advanced studies in biological science can look to the University's School of Biological Sciences, where researchers are working globally in different environments and in advanced laboratory settings.  

Overall, Scotland encompasses several areas of excellence in life sciences, and Aberdeen offers its own unique set of capabilities for supporting research. With two universities and five international research institutes, opportunities for international collaborations abound for companies looking to broaden their potential— as evidenced by the many companies now thriving in Aberdeen.  

Dundee has transformed itself into a city driven by developments in technology and growing on the back of industries such as life sciences and computer games.  

The West of Scotland is home to 180 companies in the life sciences and related industries.			

The industry is very much led by research, and Dundee in particular has achieved an international reputation as a center of research and development expertise, due to the activities within the academic research base—The Universities of Dundee (

), and the Scottish Crop Research Institute (

). The research institutes combined attract more than $95 million in research and commercial income annually. 

The University of Dundee currently hosts 3 of the UK's top 20 scientists. The School of Life Sciences supports 720 research and support staff from 50 countries and includes two Royal Society Research Professors and seven Fellows of the Royal Society.  

Over the past five years, the principal investigators in the School of Life Sciences have been awarded research grants totaling over $190 million, and the School's research income from external sources was approximately $45 million in 2005, placing it among the top five science departments in UK universities.  

The Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT) houses one of the strongest biomedical science research facilities in Europe, with a large critical mass of scientists working in the field of Signal Transduction Research. Established in 1998, the consortium was renewed in 2003 with six pharmaceutical companies: Pfizer (

). This second phase gives funding of approximately $28 million over the next five years and is the largest research collaboration between the pharmaceutical industry and a British university. This collaboration has also supported the development of the Sir James Black Center. Opened in June 2006 by Nobel Laureate Professor Sydney Brenner, the $40-million Sir James Black Center provides  state-of-the-art facilities for 180 new scientists focusing on applied research in disease areas of commercial interest including diabetes, tropical medicine, and drug discovery.  

Further developments at the University of Dundee include the Clinical Research Center, a $22-million joint venture between the School of Medicine and NHS Tayside, for patient-based studies and translational research, and the TMRC Research Laboratory, acting as a national resource for supporting innovative scientific developments in Scotland's clinical research base. 

Dundee is home to some of Scotland's most promising life sciences companies. Cyclacel (

) is Scotland's only indigenous life sciences company to trade on NASDAQ after raising more than $100 million in private equity. Axis-Shield (

) is Scotland's largest indigenous life sciences company, currently valued at $300 million and employing more than 400 scientists globally. Upstate (

) located its European heaquarters in Dundee before becoming part of Serologicals Corporation and subsequently Millipore (

Dundee accommodates the majority of its core life sciences companies across three purpose-built locations. Dundee Technology Park currently accommodates eight core life sciences companies including Millipore, Axis Shield, and IDMoS. 

The Medipark is a new 25-acre site within the campus of Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, and gives innovative companies the opportunity to draw upon resources and facilities from Ninewells Hospital and Medical School. The University of Dundee opened its new incubator facility in the Technopole in the year 2005.  

Active collaborations across various industries are integral in continuing to develop innovative technologies and major breakthroughs in scientific research. This is extremely evident in the life sciences where, for instance, engineers are working with biomedical researchers to advance therapies for several diseases, and in nanotechnology, which is becoming more instrumental in developing targeted drug delivery. Science parks are emerging around the world, and this is a great opportunity for companies with different specializations to partner with one another to achieve the same goal: to advance scientific discovery. Scotland has taken this notion further and formed the Edinburgh Science Triangle (EST, 

), which encompasses seven of Scotland's science parks: Center for Biomedical Research (

), BioCampus, Alba Campus, Roslin Biocenter, Edinburgh Technopole, Heriot-Watt Research Park, and Pentlands Science Park.  

The EST is now one of world's 20 largest science parks, with over 30 years of experience since Europe's first science park opened at Heriot-Watt University in 1971. The expertise offered by the EST ranges from bioinformatics and stem cell research to energy and optoelectronics.  

Furthermore, the close proximity between academia and industry, with four major universities in the area, broadens the research capabilities that are available to each of the science parks.  

The newest addition to the EST, the Centre for Biomedical Research (CBR), is a $1-billion project that will incorporate commercial, academic, and clinical ventures with research collaborations. The CBR proposition is based on the co-location of the University of Edinburgh's internationally acclaimed medical school, the new state-of-the-art teaching hospital, the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, and the Queen's Medical Research Institute. Ian Wilmut, creator of Dolly the sheep, is head of the Center for Regenerative Medicine, which is also based at the CBR, and will be overseeing stem cell research aimed at developing therapeutic treatments for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease. As a whole, the CBR will be commercializing its research and will put Edinburgh on the map as one of the world's top biomedical research and development centers.  

In addition, another center of excellence for stem cell research, bioinformatics, and genomics in the EST is the Roslin BioCenter (

). Roslin BioCenter is a science park developed around Roslin Institute, most notable for being the birthplace of Dolly the sheep. The Roslin Institute (

) continues to be one of the world's leading centers for animal biotechnology and farm animal genetics. Most recently, Roslin Institute established a non-profit company, Roslin Cells Ltd (

), in which Paul De Sousa, MD, will lead a team of researchers in commercializing human stem cell lines worldwide without intellectual property rights. Moreover, some companies such as Geron Bio-Med (

) allow Roslin BioCenter to offer others the opportunity to become part of a top scientific community, especially in the areas of genomics and bioinformatics. In fact, Edinburgh is already home to the Edinburgh Center for Bioinformatics (

The EST includes Scotland's first dedicated national biomanufacturing campus, Biocampus. Although Scotland has a successful cGMP biomanufacturing community, with Intercell Biomedical (

) located there, Biocampus further reinforces Scotland's position as a leader in this field. There are several hundred life sciences companies in Scotland, and this science park offers them, as well as international companies, an integrated environment that is fully operational for advanced cGMP biomanufacturing. Equally advantageous is Biocampus's close proximity to three of the world's top five cell culture media manufacturers: Invitrogen (Scotland) (

Overall, active collaborations will be essential in advancing scientific discoveries and helping them become applicable to the real world. With such a broad range of science parks, each with unique specializations and a global reputation, the EST is an optimal resource for international companies and research institutes interested in advancing scientific discovery.  

Edinburgh is well on its way to becoming one of the top ten cities of science and technology excellence in Europe and, with the help of the EST, will continue leading innovation in the twenty-first century. 

Scotland's life sciences industry is rapidly becoming one of the country's economic powerhouses, comparable to anywhere in the world. 

In the West of Scotland in particular, there is a noticeable effort to make sure that every last drop of benefit can be extracted from the not-inconsiderable talent and enterprise available. The area is home to around 180 life sciences and related companies, ranging from major pharmaceuticals through diagnostics, therapeutics, medical devices, contract researchers and manufacturers that are jointly responsible for the employment of over 8,000 people. 

Add to this the fact that there are four high-quality universities in the West of Scotland and a number of highly respected research institutes supporting in excess of 2,800 life sciences researchers in a variety of fields, and you begin to appreciate that there's a great deal happening here. 

The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, a part of the University of Glasgow (

) and headed by respected cancer specialist Professor Karen Vousden, is a case in point. It will benefit from a multimillion dollar expansion program this year, housing 240 cancer researchers and providing research facilities. 

Similarly, the Glasgow Biomedical Research Center (

) houses 300 scientists in 35 internationally recognized research groups. Led by renowned immunology expert Professor Eddy Liew, the research and development capability of the center is unsurpassed in Scotland. 

As well as numerous examples of home-grown talent, many scientists at the cutting edge of research have come here from Europe and beyond, including Professor Massimo Palmarini, from Italy, whose ground-breaking work with retroviruses in mammals has potentially massive significance for AIDS and certain types of leukemia in humans. 

Commercially, the West of Scotland goes from strength to strength. Scottish Biomedical (

), a Glasgow-based preclinical drug discovery organization, entered into a research collaboration earlier this year with South Korean pharmaceutical company, Chong Kun Dang (

). The collaboration  focuses on the development of a new diabetes drug. 

Pathways from academia to industry are proven. Crucial Genetics (

), for example, a University of Glasgow spinout, specializes in DNA profiling and became the first such company in Scotland to be approved by the Department of Constitutional Affairs for supplying court-admissible tests. 

People of the Highlands and Islands have historically maintained a respect for learning in general and the science of life in particular. This strong tradition, particularly in the field of medicine, has continued through the centuries until today. 

It is little more than 10 years since Inverness Medical Ltd was established in the Highland capital, initially employing just 30 people to design and manufacture glucose test strips and electronic meters for the global fight against diabetes. Now known as Lifescan Scotland Ltd (

), a wholly owned subsidiary of US multinational Johnson & Johnson, it employs around 1,500 workers in Inverness. Of these, 150 are scientists involved in research and development. 

The arrival of the company and its subsequent expansion beside Raigmore Hospital has given an enormous boost to the area. Intertwined with the continuing development of the embryonic University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) towards full university status, there has been development of health sciences in the Highlands with clear opportunities for more. 

The Center for Rural Health was created at Raigmore six years ago as a research institute exploring new ways of delivering rural healthcare under the joint umbrella of Aberdeen University and UHI. It now employs over 20 staff and has achieved an income of over $6 million.  

Last year, the approximately $41-million Center for Health Science, a new institute for healthcare research, business development and training, began construction on the Raigmore Hospital campus. This project is being funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), with approximately $5 million support from the European Regional Development Fund.  

In view of the proximity of Lifescan to Raigmore, there is a proposal for a UHI Department of Diabetes/NHS Diabetes Center within the hospital. The possibility of creating a chair of diabetes is also being explored.  

Mike Crowe, managing director, LifeScan Scotland, sees what the industry owes the Highlands. "I believe myself to be very fortunate, working and living in the Highlands," he says. "A large proportion of our workforce comes from the local area and I am always surprised when I see just how many people are connected to our manufacturing facility, both directly and indirectly." 

But the impact of sciences–based employment isn't only being felt in Inverness. In the west, beside the village of Dunbeg, there is another pillar sustaining this remarkable Highland development of health science—the Scottish Association of Marine Science (

), with its headquarters in Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory. 

"The life sciences sector in the Highlands and Islands is expanding rapidly and it's exciting to be a part of it," says Crowe.  

The University of Dundee and the Scottish Crop Research Institute combined attract more than $95 million in research and commercial income annually.

Centers of Excellence

Developing new drugs and bringing them to market is a lengthy process, usually taking more than ten years. The efficacy of certain drugs is further complicated by the genetic variation among patients.  Although thorough testing is needed to ensure safety for patients taking these drugs, researchers are looking for new methods of developing targeted and effective drugs more rapidly. In April 2006, an announcement was made in Scotland that will have an impact on this type of research and development: Wyeth Pharmaceutical Co. (

) signed a deal to create a Translational Medicine Research Collaboration in Scotland.  

Translational medicine has become a pertinent area of study for researchers seeking to accelerate the pace at which vital treatments move from the laboratory to the patient. Too often, drugs are found to be ineffective at a very late stage in their development, costing the pharmaceutical industry millions of dollars. To improve this process, Scotland was able to bring together four of its leading universities (Dundee, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Glasgow), its government, and the National Health Service to drive new research in this field with one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, Wyeth. Unlike other translational medicine research projects, which focus solely on one disease or disciplinary area, this collaboration aims to study a wide range of diseases across the life sciences spectrum.  

Translational medicine involves using biomarkers to diagnose and observe the progression of several human diseases. Biomarkers can be traced and measured in patients' blood samples or radiographs, allowing researchers to see what progress, if any, is being made in response to a given treatment for a particular disease, such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. In identifying the molecular pathology of various diseases, translational medicine allows researchers to obtain a better idea of which drugs will work best for individual patients.  

Predicting which drug will be effective for patients with a particular genetic make-up will significantly reduce the time it takes for these patients to find the drug that works best for them. A reliable method of forecasting which drugs will have harmful effects on an individual patient will also prove instrumental in enhancing patient safety. In addition, costs associated with developing drugs have risen dramatically over the last few decades, and it is thought that translational medicine will prove more economical.  			

Scotland's position as a global leader in the life sciences has been reaffirmed consistently throughout the years. Complex drug research and development in Scotland benefits from the high rate of life sciences graduates in the country and unparalleled clinical expertise among its universities and research institutes. Establishing a collaboration among four universities is no small feat with factors such as intellectual property rights and funding hindering the development of such partnerships in other areas of the world. However, this was a surmountable challenge for Scotland, as the country fosters a unified environment for scientific innovation. Thus, personalizing medicine will have a profound impact on the current state of treating some for the world's deadliest diseases and with the collaboration with Wyeth and future partners, Scotland will be at the forefront of this research. 

Unlike other translational medicine research projects, this collaboration aims to study a wide range of diseases across the life sciences spectrum.

BioPharm International-12-02-2006