Scotland Showcased at BIO as Dynamic, Global Life Sciences Hub

Unprecedented collaboration between industry, academia, government and health providers draws dozens of life science companies and contract research organizations to Scotland

SAN DIEGO, June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The unique connectivity, talent and collaboration that has attracted many of the world's leading life sciences companies to Scotland in recent years will be on show at BIO 2008 in San Diego, California this week.

As pharmaceutical, biotechnology and research outsourcing companies search globally for new technologies, promising research and production expertise, Scottish researchers, industry leaders and government representatives will be at BIO to promote the nation's integrated and dynamic life sciences strategy that is built on strengths in scientific excellence and Scotland's world-class research base.

"Scotland's wealth of cutting-edge technology, internationally renowned talent, and unique industry, government and academic collaboration offer life sciences companies a truly supportive and entrepreneurial environment to efficiently and effectively grow their business," said Rhona Allison, senior director of life sciences for Scottish Enterprise, Scotland's economic development and innovation agency. "Many of the worlds leading life sciences companies are finding a welcoming and productive home in Scotland and we want to encourage more organizations to become part of Scotland's vibrant and growing life sciences sector."

Recent large-scale investments from multi-national life science companies and many of the world's leading CROs, including Quintiles, Aptuit, Charles River Laboratories, ICON and PPD Development, indicate that Scotland is poised to play a significant role in the growing market for outsourced clinical research, currently estimated at $14 billion.

The country currently has more than 600 life science organizations and is home to a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment for vibrant new companies to flourish, indeed, 20 new life sciences companies were established in 2007 alone.

Synergy between public and private sectors, and academia has brought together the unique Translational Medicine Research Collaboration between Wyeth, four Scottish universities, Scotland's National Health Service and Scottish Enterprise. The partnership is a world first in translational medicine, combining commercial, clinical and academic expertise to better understand a wide range of diseases such as diabetes, mental health, osteoporosis, cancer and stroke.

"The science in Scotland is outstanding, and the assistance from and commitment of Scottish Enterprise pulled the whole thing together," said Dr Frank Welsh, Executive Vice President, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. "We couldn't do this anywhere else in the world."

Scotland's high-tech infrastructure, including the $1 billion Edinburgh BioQuarter currently being developed by Alexandria Real Estate, will support Scotland's world-leading capabilities in areas such as drug discovery and development, stem cell science, medical technologies, translational medicine, bioinformatics and specialist manufacturing.

  Scottish Organizations at BIO
  Accuro Biologics
  Aquapharm Biodiscovery Ltd
  Ardana PLC
  AvantiCell Science Ltd
  Biopta Ltd
  Biotech Innovation & Future Health Limited
  Cellartis
  Charles River Laboratories
  Clintec International
  CXR Biosciences Ltd
  Environmental Hygiene Products Ltd
  Fulcrum Pharma PLC
  GlycoMar Limited
  Highland Biosciences Ltd
  ITI Life Sciences
  Moredun Scientific Ltd
  Murgitroyd & Company
  Nexxus, the West of Scotland Bioscience Network
  Scottish Biomedical
  Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service
  Scottish Stem Cell Network
  Talent Scotland
  Tepnel Research Products and Services
  Tissue Solutions Ltd
  PsyRING - Psychiatric Research Institute of Neuroscience in Glasgow

For more information on these companies, please visit Scottish Development International.

About Scottish Development International

Scottish Development International (SDI) works to attract inward investment and knowledge to Scotland in order to help the economy grow. SDI also works to help Scottish companies do more business overseas and to promote Scotland as a good place to live, work and do business. It is jointly operated by the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise. Its work is guided by the global connections theme of the Scottish Government's Smart Successful Scotland strategy for economic development in Scotland. For more information, visit http://www.scottishdevelopmentinternational.com/ .

CONTACT: Emily Hyman, +1-617-520-7094, emily.hyman@webershandwick.com or Elizabeth Bowen, +1-617-520-7127, elizabeth.bowen@webershandwick.com, both of Scottish Development International

Web site: http://www.scottishdevelopmentinternational.com/ http://www.bio2008.org/

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